One Flight Up (180 Gram Vinyl)

Dexter Gordon's hard-bop classic One Flight Up - one of the finest examples of hard bop jazz ever released on LP. Jack Lubin engineered the session on June 2, 1964 at CBS Studios in Paris. The synergy between Gordon and his fellow trumpeter Donald Byrd, pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Neils-Henning Orsted and drummer Art Taylor is almost unreal in its spiritual connectivity. With only three tunes to fill 36 minutes of music, everyone gets into long, loose grooves, taking you on a ride that is both swinging, thought provoking and ultimately rapturous. The 3 tracks - and especially the lovely, Byrd-composed 18-minute jam Tanya - display confident rhythmic invention, inspired solos and scintillating late-night mood. Do not miss this Blue Note clas...

This Bebop give to us some advantages, like this :
1. Masterful
My God, that classic, classic bassline to Tanya still resonates in my soul today, these many years later. As well, Dex's blowing on "Darn That Dream" still gets me all emotional and teary to this day.

What happens when you combine one of the greatest ever jazz tenormen along with the most underrated trumpeter this side of Miles ? Pure and utter magic.

2. Quintessential Dexter
This is one of THE all time desert island Blue Note recordings. Though not mentioned as often as titles such as "Blue Train" or "Somethin' Else," this recording presents Dexter's tenor front and center. Great tunes and sympathetic support create subtle tension and release. Some of this music was recently featured at the beginning of Ken Burn's "Jazz" episode 10. I hope this will be re-released as part of Blue Note's RVG series in the near future. Good listening!

Need more appointment... ?
I can't get enough of 'Tanya'!
'Tanya', the first number on this excellent album, runs for 18 minutes. I first heard this tune whilst watching Ken Burn's "Jazz" documentary. It has stuck in my head since then; I simply adore it.

Tanya was written by hard bop trumpeter Donald Byrd, who accompanies Dexter in this performance. They play together to begin with and then each solos through this mesmerizing and hypnotic tune. The splendour of the trumpet and tenor saxophone as instruments is on full display here.

Let's not forget the album includes some of Dexters favourites in the Rhythm section; Kenny Drew on Piano, Art Taylor on Drums and Neils-Hennig Orsted Pedersen on Bass.

An excellent album as a whole, or to listen to 'Tanya' alone.
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