1964's One Flight Up served as his sixth effort for Blue Note, recorded with producer Francis Wolff and a quintet rounded out by Donald Byrd (trumpet), Kenny Drew (piano), Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (bass) and Art Taylor (drums) in Paris, France during his years spent living abroad. Free from the restrictions of the American music scene, Gordon and company offer up three extended numbers including the 18-minute "Tanya," 11-minute "Coppin' the Haven" and 7 1/2-minute "Darn That Dream."

 

There was no mistaking Dexter Gordon for anyone else, and he always gave the impression that he could play for hours without running out of inventive ideas or personality.

Dexter Gordon had been living in Europe for several years when he recorded One Flight Up, one of his acknowledged masterpiece albums, in Paris in June of 1964. It’s all here: Dexter’s magnificently huge sound, Donald Byrd in peak form on trumpet, the subtle sophistication of pianist Kenny Drew, the utter brilliance of the then-teenaged bass phenom Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson, and the rock-steady swing of drummer Art Taylor. The opening track “Tanya” takes up the entire first side of this album at 18+ minutes, and it is a performance for the ages.

Blue Note Tone Poet Series

The Blue Note Tone Poet Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley (from Music Matters), a.k.a. the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.

Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180 gm audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology Inc. Every aspect of these Blue Note/Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.

Blue Note Records’ Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series is produced by Joe Harley and features all-analog, mastered-from-the-original-master-tape 180g audiophile vinyl reissues in deluxe gatefold packaging. Mastering is by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) and vinyl is manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI).

Musicians:

Dexter Gordon, tenor saxophone

Donald Byrd, trumpet

Kenny Drew, piano

Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, bass

Art Taylor, drums

 

1. Tanya

2. Coppin’ The Haven

3. Darn That Dream