Dexter Gordon

Ready for a 24-minute rendition of Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-a-ning"? You don't think so? Well, give it a shot - you might be pleasantly surprised. Material from Dexter Gordon's May 1969 concert at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore has already appeared on another live album (L.T.D., also on Prestige), but the three long tracks presented here are not cold leftovers. Opening with that 24-minute version of "Rhythm-a-ning," Gordon shows himself to be in peak form, improvising for a solid seven minutes without doing anything boring. Pianist Bobby Timmons is playing well too (though he's a bit hard to hear in the slightly unbalanced mix; bassist Victor Gaskin is, unfortunately, practically inaudible)…

Dexter Gordon - Go! (1962) {2010 Analogue Productions Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 246 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 90 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 16 Mb
© 2010 Analogue Productions / Blue Note / Capitol | CBNJ 84112 SA
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Dexter Gordon considered this his finest album, and few would disagree. With the perfect rhythm section of Sonny Clark, Butch Warren and Billy Higgins, this tenor giant reinvents standards like "Three O'clock In The Morning," "Second Balcony Jump" and "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" and introduces his most famous composition, "Cheese Cake."

Dexter Gordon - The Tower Of Power! (1969) {Prestige OJCCD-299-2 rel 1993}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 225 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 87 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 9 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1969, 1993 Prestige / OJC / Fantasy | OJCCD-299-2
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Dexter Gordon (tenor sax) returned to the United States in the spring of 1969 to create his first studio recordings in nearly a decade. Joined by James Moody (tenor sax), Barry Harris (piano), Buster Williams (bass), and Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums), Gordon actually documented enough material for two long players – Tower of Power (1969) and More Power! (1969) – both of which became primary staples of the artist's voluminous Prestige catalog. An opening flourish from Heath on "Montmartre" marks the commencement of the platter, leading into a mid-tempo bop. Gordon and Moody swing steadily as they bounce ideas off each other.

Dexter Gordon's mid-'60s period living in Europe also meant coming back to the U.S. for the occasional recording session. His teaming with Bobby Hutcherson was intriguing in that the vibraphonist was marking his territory as a maverick and challenging improviser. Here the two principals prove compatible in that they have a shared sense of how to create sheer beauty in a post-bop world. Add the brilliant Barry Harris to this mix, and that world is fortunate enough to hear these grand masters at their creative peak, stoked by equally extraordinary sidemen like bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Billy Higgins, all on loan from Lee Morgan's hitmaking combo. The subtle manner in which Gordon plays melodies or caresses the most recognizable standard has always superseded his ability to ramble through rough-and-tumble bebop…

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

A Classics collection of tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon, 1947-1952 features some of the mellow jazzman's most identifiable recordings from that period. Beginning with an extended version of "The Duel," the disc also includes Gordon's epic tenor battle with Wardell Gray on "The Chase."

Dexter Gordon - Homecoming: Live at the Village Vanguard (1977) {2CD Set, Columbia C2K 46824 rel 1990}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 865 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 315 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 48 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 1990 Columbia / CBS Records | C2K 46824
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

The acclaim that met Dexter Gordon when he returned to the United States after 14 years in Europe was completely unexpected. Not only did the jazz critics praise the great tenor but there were literally lines of young fans waiting to see his performances. This double CD, recorded during his historic first American tour, improved on the original double LP with the inclusion of previously unreleased versions of "Fried Bananas" and "Body and Soul." Gordon – in a quintet with trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Stafford James, and drummer Louis Hayes – frequently sounds exuberant on these lengthy performances; eight of the ten songs are at least 11 minutes long. The excitement of the period can definitely be felt in this excellent music.