Montell Gordon – Agency Transmutation

Blue Note's handy roundup series moves on to chronicle the '60s label stint of a bebop veteran. Returning to the States from Europe to cut several dates, Dexter Gordon managed to produce some of his best stuff for Alfred Lion's venerable jazz company. This fine disc features many of the highlights, including both breezy swingers and dusky ballads. Ranging from an incredible bop long-player with trumpeter Donald Byrd ("Tanya") to one of his patented after-hours smoothies ("Don't Explain"), Gordon reveals his large store of talent with solos that are both intricate and beguiling, and that's his mode for a set that also takes in bossa nova ("Soy Califa") and some fetching originals ("Cheese Cake"). Gordon novices should start here.

15 original albums with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Buck Clayton, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Parker, Gene Ammons, Wardell Grey, Melba Liston, Ben Webster, Duke Ellington, Bud Powell, Hampton Hawes, Billy Higgins, Max Roach, Billy Eckstine and Herbie Hancock, among others…

Scarcely three decades old, the enduring appeal of novelist Stephen King's horror oeuvre has already begun to foster remakes of the films and TV productions already based on his most popular works. This cable TV redux of King's 1975 tale of a small hamlet beset by vampires features an ominous, brooding orchestral and choral score that's a winning collaboration between newcomer Christopher Gordon and former Dead Can Dance mainstay cum film scorer Lisa Gerrard. The gothic seasoning she imparted to her previous collaborations with Hans Zimmer (most notably Gladiator) comes to the forefront on this score's haunting title aria (composed by Gerrard and partner Patrick Cassidy) and tracks like "Bloody Pirates" and "Free in Spirit." But it's the music of newcomer Gordon (Master and Commander) whose sheer scale and ambition belie the small screen format it was written for at nearly every turn.

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a newly remastered and expanded edition of the classic album "Perilous Journey” by Gordon Giltrap. For over forty years Gordon has enjoyed the well-deserved reputation as one of Britain’s greatest guitar players. He made his first recordings in the 1960s as folk artist, but by 1976 he had crossed into the Progressive Rock genre and signed to the newly formed Electric Records imprint.
His second album for Electric was arguably his most famous. Released in 1977, "Perilous Journey” was the second part of the trilogy of releases that began with the “Visionary” album in 1976. The album charted and was included in The Sunday Times 20 Best Albums of 1977…

Dexter Gordon - "5 Original Albums" Dexter Gordon's early recordings for Blue Note from 1961 -65 that have all gained iconic status. [5 CD] Doin' Allright - Dexter Calling - A Swingin' Affair - One Flight Up - Gettin' Around

Since Dexter Gordon's recording career was on hold from 1956-1960, one would have to assume that the 1955 session here is from the Bethlehem catalog, and the 1961-1967 dates are from Blue Note, Steeplechase, and/or Black Lion label dates. Of course, there no attributions for personnel or recording dates, so one can only guess. Gordon sounds good in this period, and the music itself is well chosen.