Blue Note's handy roundup series moves on to chronicle the '60s label stint of a bebop veteran. Returning to the States from Europe to cut several dates, Dexter Gordon managed to produce some of his best stuff for Alfred Lion's venerable jazz company. This fine disc features many of the highlights, including both breezy swingers and dusky ballads. Ranging from an incredible bop long-player with trumpeter Donald Byrd ("Tanya") to one of his patented after-hours smoothies ("Don't Explain"), Gordon reveals his large store of talent with solos that are both intricate and beguiling, and that's his mode for a set that also takes in bossa nova ("Soy Califa") and some fetching originals ("Cheese Cake"). Gordon novices should start here.
Personnel Includes:

Dexter Gordon - tenor saxophone
Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard - trumpet
Sonny Clark, Horace Parlan, Kenny Drew - piano
Butch Warren, Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson, Paul Chambers, George Tucker - bass
Al Harewood, Art Taylor, Philly Joe Jones, Billy Higgins - drums

Tracklist:

01. It's You or No One
02. Society Red
03. Smile
04. Cheese Cake
05. Three O'Clock in the Morning
06. Soy Califa
07. Don't Explain
08. Tanya