Alan Shorter was a trumpet and flugelhorn player most well known for his free jazz style. Shorter frequently played and recorded albums with Archie Shepp, a saxophonist of avant-garde jazz. Shorter was also the older brother of well-renowned saxophonist Wayne Shorter and had appeared on an album with the younger Shorter.

Shorter originally recorded Orgasm in 1968 and released it in 1969 via the jazz label Verve. It was his debut and only one of his two albums as the leader of a band. Orgasm features Shorter alongside Leandro "Gato" Barbieri (saxophone), Charlie Haden (bass), Reggie Johnson (bass), Muhammad Ali (drums) and Rashied Ali (drums). Shorter's subdued playing firmly harmonizes with his bandmates as he opts for a more unified sound.