LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Dexter Gordon's 15-year residency in Copenhagen was punctuated with frequent trips back to the United States. When he came home in the 1970s, record dates for Prestige were a part of his routine. For this meeting at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in the summer of 1972, Gordon's other horn was one of his favorite musicians, trumpeter Thad Jones. The occasion reunited Thad with his brother Hank on piano. Also in the rhythm section were a young lion of the bass, Stanley Clarke, and the energetic drummer Louis Hayes. For "Days of Wine and Roses," the rhythm section was Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, and Billy Higgins. On "The Group," Gordon's front-line partner is trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. Whatever the setting, the power of Gordon's conception, tone, and presence dominate the music.
Track listing:Tangerine, August Blues, What It Was, Days of Wine And Roses, The Group