Various Artists – Reach

You may not have listened to tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon’s One Flight Up but you’ll feel like you have when you do. As original as he is timeless, Gordon’s blueprint on jazz music is well established, and perhaps no better exemplified than on One Flight Up. Gordon is at the peak of his powers here with his powerful tenor sax and laid back style. His supremely talented backing band, which includes the great Donald Byrd, keeps the tempo moving while also stretching out a bit themselves. Music blogger LondonJazzCollector remarks, “Dexter is quietly restrained, Byrd plays to Hubbard, Drew plays to Pearson and Hancock, Taylor mixes Blakey with a touch of Williams, and NHOP [Pedersen] walks dreamlike through the 18 minute space.” One Flight Up is a foundational tour de force of a record that’s been a ‘go-to’ for jazz enthusiasts from around the world for decades. If it’s not already part of your collection, it should be.
– Michael Friedman
Recommended – Full Listen
A1 Tanya
B1 Coppin’ The Haven
B2 Darn That Dream
Tenor Saxaphone- Dexter Gordon
Trumpet – Donald Byrd
Piano – Kenny Drew
Bass – Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen
Drums – Art Taylor