Dexter Blows Hot and Cool

by Scott YanowLittle was heard of tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon on-record during the 1950s; in fact this somewhat obscure LP @Savoy, in one of their reissue programs, also released these performances) was one of Gordon's only three appearances on record (two as a leader) during 1953-1959. He fronts a quintet with pianist Carl Perkins, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, drummer Chuck Thompson, and the forgotten trumpeter Jim Robinson, and sounds pretty strong on the straight-ahead material. Few surprises occur but this collector's item from a dark period in Dexter Gordon's life has its share of fine music.