The album’s a real classic from Dexter’s first big “comeback” period (1961)– and represents the strength of his Blue Note years at their best! (This is his second on the label.)   Gordon’s rich, full tone isn’t diminished a bit here — and his inventive blowing is given free reign on a set of quartet numbers recorded with Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. The album’s got a few strong originals from Gordon including pieces from Gordon’s score for the Los Angeles production of “The Connection,” “Soul Sister”, “Ernie’s Tune”, and “I Want More — plus the very sweet Kenny Drew tracks “Modal Mood” and “Clear The Dex” and the standards “The End Of A Love Affair” and “Smile” (written by Charlie Chaplin!). This album and the session that produced “Doin’ Alright” were held just days apart while Gordon was visiting stateside after becoming an expatriate in Europe.

This has all the pedigree and credentials of the landmark hard bop recording it is, including Blue Note owner Alfred Lion producing; partner Francis Wolf‘s cover photo; Rudy Van Gelder engineering; and Leonard Feather liner notes.

(23 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5)

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