Essential 1962 Blue Note jazz, remastered from the original analog tapes. Go! is unquestionably tenor sax legend Dexter Gordon’s most notable work—after all, it’s his only album preserved by the Library of Congress. Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in his famed New Jersey studio, and featuring Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums, Go! and Gordon’s follow up record A Swingin’ Affair (recorded just two days later) are noted for their relaxed sound and use of referential motifs within improvisation. The only original composition on the album, “Cheese Cake” is perhaps Gordon’s most recognizable song in his discography. The following five tracks are all instrumental renditions of popular American songs and jazz standards, such as Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn’s "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," and Cole Porter’s “Love for Sale" from the Great American Songbook. Go! might not be as groundbreaking as Coltrane’s output in the early ‘60s, but it is equally as consistent and remains a must-have in jazz collections.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
  
• all-analog remaster cut from the original tapes
  
• featuring Dexter Gordon (t. sax), Sonny Clark (p), Butch Warren (b), Billy Higgins (d)
  
• music label: Blue Note Records 2021

reviewed by SHH! 07/2021