# Take a Number from 1 to 10

Take a Number from 1 to 10 is an album by saxophonist Benny Golson, featuring performances recorded in late 1960 and early 1961 and originally released on the Argo label.

## Background

This was Golson's first recording as leader for Argo.$^{:7}$ The concept for the album was that of producer Kay Norton.$^{:7}$ The album begins with a track of solo saxophone by Golson, then adds one musician for each of the remaining tracks, finishing with ten performers on the final song.

## Recording and music

The first seven tracks were recorded on December 13 and 14, 1960.$^{:19}$ Golson begins on tenor saxophone with one chorus of "You're My Thrill".$^{:7}$ "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" adds bassist Tommy Williams, who maintains the tempo while "matching Golson's intensity".$^{:8}$ Drummer Albert Heath is added for a trio version of "The Best Thing for You Is Me"; then pianist Cedar Walton joins, becoming the fourth member of the Golson-Art Farmer-led band the Jazztet playing, for "Impromptune".$^{:8}$ Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard plays on the medium tempo "Little Karin", which was named after Norton's daughter.$^{:8}$ "Swing It" is a fast blues with Curtis Fuller on trombone added; the sextet with Fuller, Hubbard, and Walton presaged the 1961 version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.$^{:8}$ Golson is the main soloist for the ballad "I Fall in Love Too Easily", which has Sahib Shihab added on baritone saxophone.$^{:8}$
The personnel changed considerably for the final three tracks, recorded on April 11, 1961.$^{:19}$ The octet that plays "Out of This World" consists of baritone saxophone, two tenor saxophones, trumpet, trombone, French horn, bass, and drums; they form rhythms that allow Golson to flow in and out of the harmonic structure of the composition.$^{:8}$ A second trumpet is added for "The Touch"; and another, Farmer, completes the tentet for "Time".$^{:8}$

## Reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | |
The Allmusic review describes the album as "A gimmick record that transcends its novelty trappings [...] While the progressive sonic expansion is fascinating to behold, the small-group settings are no less impressive for their intimacy and nuance".

## Track listing

All compositions by Benny Golson except as indicated
* "You're My Thrill" (Burton Lane, Ned Washington) – 1:36
* "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (Cole Porter) – 4:11
* "The Best Thing for You Is Me" (Clifford Brown, Buddy DeSylva, Ray Henderson) – 2:49
* "Impromptune" – 3:03
* "Little Karin" – 3:36
* "Swing It" – 4:26
* "I Fall in Love Too Easily" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 4:47
* "Out of This World" (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) – 3:54
* "The Touch" – 5:16
* "Time" – 3:35
* Recorded at Nola's Penthouse Sound Studio in New York City on December 13, 1960 (tracks 1–4), December 14, 1960 (tracks 5–7) and April 11, 1961 (tracks 8-10)

## Personnel
### Musicians

* Benny Golson – tenor saxophone
* Art Farmer (track 10), Bernie Glow (tracks 9 & 10), Freddie Hubbard (tracks 5–7), Nick Travis (tracks 8–10) – trumpet
* Willie Ruff – French horn (tracks 8–10)
* Bill Elton (tracks 8–10), Curtis Fuller (tracks 6 & 7) – trombone
* Hal McKusick – alto saxophone (tracks 8–10)
* Sol Schlinger (tracks 8–10), Sahib Shihab (track 7) – baritone saxophone
* Cedar Walton – piano (tracks 4–7)
* Tommy Williams – bass (tracks 2–10)
* Albert Heath – drums (tracks 3–10)

### Production

* Kay Norton – production
* Tommy Nola – recording engineering