LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Paul Gonsalves has been quite accurately characterized as strictly an Ellingtonian. Although he came into the Duke's band in 1950, almost a generation later than the cornerstones of its saxophone section, Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney, he played alongside them for many years--and like them and several others is almost exclusively thought of in that context. This album, then, was a rare departure, with neither an Ellington tune nor musician in sight. Instead, Gonsalves is displayed most effectively in an almost-bebop setting, flanked by Nat Adderley and supported by a typically strong Riverside/Jazzland rhythm section of Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones, and Jimmy Cobb.
Track listing: Yesterdays, J. and B. Blues, I Surrender Dear, Hard Groove, Low Gravy, I Cover the Waterfront, Gettin' Together, Walkin'