Dexter Gordon: Gettin' Around

This is not to say the great tenor allusionist isn't up to his usual tricks. On the first chorus of his solo on "Manha de Carnaval," he quotes three bars of Victor Young's "Delilah"; during his own "Le Coiffeur" (a cross between the samba "So Nice" and Charlie Parker's "My Little Suede Shoes"), he incorporates Debussy's "Claire de Lune." Finally, Gordon does for the sentimental chestnut "Heartaches," what Hank Mobley does for Irving Berlin's "Remember" on Soul Station—refreshing it and transforming it into a hip tune. Only on "Very Saxily Yours," excluded from the original LP, does the tenor giant begin to show his customarily aggressive edge.

Bobby Hutcherson stays laid-back and in the pocket, just like Barry Harris—in fact, both musicians assume supportive roles that encourage Gordon to keep the flame burning low. Although this may not be a five-star performance like Go! or Our Man in Paris, don't be surprised if it receives more plays than some of Gordon's more essential recording dates.