Doin All Right
After spending most of the '50s away from the scene, saxophonist Dexter Gordon entered the recording studio in 1961 to create what became the first in a series of seven incredible albums for Blue Note. OnDoin' Allrighthe proved why the world needed him back. Gordon assuredly embraced the inventive melodicism ofLester Youngwith the striking harmonies ofCharlie Parker. He also mastered the art of quoting other musical passages within a cogent solo. As the reissue proves, the results are timeless, especially on such achingly beautiful ballads as "You've Changed." Although Gordon used a group of studio musicians---rather than his own band---on this date everybody sounds remarkably cohesive. This session also featured then 23-year-old whiz-kid trumpeterFreddie Hubbard.--Aaron Cohen