Review by Stephen Cook
Taken from three separate sessions from 1945-'47, Dexter Rides Again showcases prime bebop sides Gordon cut for Savoy. His unique adaptation of Charlie Parker's alto conception to the tenor saxophone is displayed throughout, revealing a mix of fluid, hard-toned lines and a vibrato-heavy and vaporous ballad sound. And while Gordon's ballad mastery would come to the fore on his come-back albums for Blue Note in the '60s, the tenor saxophonist primarily sticks to up-tempo material here, a standard for most bebop sets. Abetted by a collective cast including the fine, yet rarely heard trumpeter Leonard Hawkins, baritone saxophonist Leo Parker, pianists Tadd Dameron and Bud Powell, and drummers Max Roach and Art Blakey, Gordon is in top form on a typical collection of self-penned, utility tunes, dispensing of involved head statements in favor of solo space. Standouts include "Dexter's Deck," the lone ballad "I Can't Escape From You," and the jam session number "Settin' The Pace" (Gordon recorded many extended cuts like this with fellow bebop tenor star Wardell Gray, and here teams up with Leo Parker for something like a baritone and tenor cutting contest). For those interested in where elements of both Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane's distinct style came from, check out these fine Gordon sides; besides the history lesson on wax, there's a consistent run of top-notch bebop sides to enjoy. For completists, these tracks, plus alternate takes and an excellent session featuring Fats Navarro, are included on Denon's Savoy reissue package, Settin' the Pace.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/dexter-rides-again-mw0000077810
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Reseña de Stephen Cook
Tomado de tres sesiones separadas de 1945-'47, Dexter Rides Again muestra los mejores temas bebop que Gordon grabó para Savoy. Su adaptación única de la concepción del alto de Charlie Parker al saxofón tenor se muestra en todo momento, revelando una mezcla de líneas fluidas y de tono duro y un sonido de balada vibrato-pesado y vaporoso. Y mientras que la maestría de Gordon en las baladas saldría a relucir en sus álbumes de regreso para Blue Note en los años 60, el saxofonista tenor se ciñe principalmente al material up-tempo aquí, un estándar para la mayoría de los conjuntos bebop. Apoyado por un elenco colectivo que incluye al trompetista Leonard Hawkins, al saxofonista barítono Leo Parker, a los pianistas Tadd Dameron y Bud Powell, y a los baterías Max Roach y Art Blakey, Gordon está en plena forma en una colección típica de temas de autoría propia, prescindiendo de las declaraciones de cabecera en favor del espacio solista. Destacan «Dexter's Deck», la balada solitaria «I Can't Escape From You» y la jam session «Settin' The Pace» (Gordon grabó muchos cortes extendidos como éste con su compañero tenor estrella del bebop Wardell Gray, y aquí forma equipo con Leo Parker para algo parecido a un concurso de corte de barítono y tenor). Para aquellos interesados en saber de dónde proceden los elementos del estilo distintivo de Sonny Rollins y John Coltrane, echa un vistazo a estas excelentes caras de Gordon; además de la lección de historia en cera, hay una serie consistente de caras bebop de primera categoría para disfrutar. Para los completistas, estos temas, además de tomas alternativas y una excelente sesión con Fats Navarro, están incluidos en el paquete de reedición de Savoy de Denon, Settin' the Pace.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/dexter-rides-again-mw0000077810
1 - Dexter's Riff 2:43
2 - Settin' The Pace Part 1 & 2 5:52
3 - So Easy 3:38
4 - Long Tall Dexter 3:00
5 - Dexter Rides Again 3:14
6 - I Can't Escape From You 3:13
7 - Dexter Digs In 2:56
8 - Dexter's Minor Mad 2:40
9 - Blow Mr. Dexter 2:55
10 - Dexter's Deck 2:54
11 - Dexter's Cuttin' Out 3:06
Credits:
Baritone Saxophone – Leo Parker (tracks: 1 to 3)
Bass – Curly Russell (tracks: 1 to 7), Gene Ramey (tracks: 8 to 11)
Drums – Art Blakey (tracks: 1 to 3), Ed Nicholson* (tracks: 8 to 11), Max Roach (tracks: 4 to 7)
Liner Notes – H. Alan Stein, 児山紀芳*, 三澤隆宏
Mastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Photography By – Jos. Bottwin*
Piano – Argonne Thornton (tracks: 8 to 11), Bud Powell (tracks: 4 to 7), Tadd Dameron (tracks: 1 to 3)
Producer – Ozzie Cadena
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon
Trumpet – Leonard Hawkins (tracks: 4 to 7)
Recorded :
#1-3 : December 11, 1947
#4-7 : January 29, 1946
#8-11 : October, 30, 1945
Label: Savoy Records – MG 12130
Country: US
Released: 1958
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bop, Swing
https://www.discogs.com/release/11716718-Dexter-Gordon-Dexter-Rides-Again
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