George's Dilemma is a hard bop original composed by Clifford Brown, first recorded on February 24, 1955, for the album Study in Brown on EmArcy Records. The tune was also known by the working title Ulcer Department before receiving its final name, a nod to bassist George Morrow, who held down the bottom end in the Clifford Brown and Max Roach Quintet. The melody is written for trumpet and tenor saxophone in unison, featuring a syncopated, blues-inflected line that weaves through a series of dominant tensions and turnaround resolutions. An introductory passage hints at a Latin rhythmic feel before the band settles into a driving swing groove at medium-up tempo. The bridge shifts harmonic color with a move through new minor key centers and a brief diminished chord, adding contrast before the return of the main theme. Brown's own trumpet solo on the original recording is a concise display of his melodic clarity, fluid articulation, and harmonic awareness, qualities that defined his tragically brief career. Harold Land follows on tenor saxophone, and Richie Powell contributes a piano solo, making the track a showcase for the full front line of the quintet. George's Dilemma has remained a deep cut in the hard bop repertoire rather than achieving the standard status of fellow Study in Brown compositions like Sandu. It sees occasional play among musicians drawn to Brown's original writing but has not generated notable cover versions by other artists.
