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. ~ Stephen Cook