Dexter Gordon – Dexter Calling

This superb 1961 date matches Dexter Gordon’s booming tenor sax with a dynamite rhythm section of Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Like all his early ’60s Blue Note recordings, this is Gordon at his absolute best. It’s a nice mix of originals and standards, including an up-tempo take on Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile.” There are no surprises here, just straight-ahead bluesy bebop by some of the masters of the genre. (cduniverse)

CD