The complex journey of saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter’s remarkable musical career is glimpsed on this two-CD compilation that spans the master’s recorded works from 1960 to 2001. It begins with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers swinging hard on Shorter’s “Lester Left Town” in an edition of the ensemble that included the great trumpet of Lee Morgan. Most of the 22 selections heard here come from Shorter’s mighty pen including such now standards as the lovely “Infant Eyes” and, of course, his signature “Footprints” that is mentioned in the CD’s title.

The music moves chronologically spotlighting the saxophonist leading his own acoustic groups and those headed by trumpeter Miles Davis. The switch to more plugged-in environs in the late 1960s stands pronounced and is strongly represented by a number of cuts from the very influential group, Weather Report. Listening to Shorter in this fashion—cut by cut through the decades—emphasizes his evolution and musical transitions and in particular his greater employment of the soprano saxophone.