Dexter Gordon Sophisticated Giant (Vinyl LP)

Legacy Recordings reissues Dexter Gordon's celebrated late 70's Columbia session Sophisticated Giant on vinyl to coincide with the new biography by Maxine Gordon that shares it's title. Sophisticated Giant was recorded shortly after Gordon's triumphant return to the States after a dozen years living in Europe. Originally recorded in June of 1977, the album finds Gordon on both tenor and soprano saxophone joined by an all-star "Dextette," 10 crack players including trumpeters Woody Shaw and Benny Bailey, Frank Wess on alto and flute, trombonists Slide Hampton and Wayne Andre, Howard Johnson on tuba, vibes master Bobby Hutcherson, and the rhythm section of George Cables on piano, Rufus Reid on bass and Victor Lewis on drums. Includes the Gordon original "Fried Bananas," Shaw's "The Moontrane" plus standards such as "Laura" and "You're Blasé" all arranged by Hampton and produced by Michael Cuscuna.