This single CD has most but not all of
Dexter Gordon's Savoy recordings. While there are previously unheard extra alternate takes included ("Dexter Digs In," "Dexter's Mood," "Dextrose," "Index" and "Dextivity") time limitations resulted in the already issued alternates to "Blow Mr. Dexter," "So Easy" and "Dexter's Riff" being left out. Hopefully, the latter three takes will be issued eventually on a sampler; in the meantime, completists should hold on to their earlier Arista/Savoy two-fer.
Gordon's four Savoy sessions (which feature a lot of "originals" based on the chord changes of blues and standards) found him introducing his hard tone and fairly distinctive style to a wide audience, making him one of the first full-fledged bop tenors. The supporting cast (which includes on various dates trumpeter
Fats Navarro, baritonist
Leo Parker and pianist
Bud Powell) is strong, and it is noteworthy that now the discographies of
Powell and
Navarro have been slightly expanded. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow