Manhattan Symphonie Review by Thom Jurek
Manhattan Symphonie was recorded just two days after Dexter Gordon's legendary gigs at the Village Vanguard with his working band of pianist George Cables, bassist Rufus Reid, and drummer Eddie Gladden. Produced by Michael, this set captures the true mastery of Gordon at his melodic peak. Some of the fire of the earlier bebop years has mellowed but, as evidenced by the opening ballad "As Time Goes By," none of his ability to reimagine melody, his trademark phrasing, and his sheer ability to transfer emotion is missing. Cables provides a solid foil for Gordon just as he did for Art Pepper. His large chord voicings are simultaneously insistent and utterly subtle, shading the harmony with enough depth to give Gordon room to really dig into them and blow. Other standouts here include a fine read of "Body and Soul," "LTD," and the beautiful "Tanya." The 2005 Legacy CD reissue includes a previously unreleased version of "Secret Love," and a read of Thelonious Monk's "Ruby My Dear," from the Great Encounters album. Pete Hammill's fine original notes are reproduced here, and there is a short, moving essay by Cables. The sound is warm, full, and utterly true.
Dexter Gordon Quartet – Manhattan Symphonie
Label:
Columbia – PC 35608
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Pitman Pressing
Country:
US
Released:
1978
Genre:
Jazz
Style:
Hard Bop, Post Bop
A1 As Time Goes By 8:57
A2 Moment's Notice 8:23
A3 Tanya 7:24
B1 Body And Soul 12:49
B2 I Told You So 6:04
B3 Ltd 6:41
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Inc.
Copyright © – CBS Inc.
Manufactured By – Columbia Records
Recorded At – CBS Studios, New York
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Bass – Rufus Reid
Design – Ed Lee
Drums – Eddie Gladden
Engineer [Editing Engineer And Tape Operator] – Ken Robertson
Engineer [Recording And Mixing] – Jerry Smith
Executive-Producer – Maxine Gregg
Liner Notes – Pete Hamill
Photography By – Roland G. Harris
Piano – George Cables
Producer – Michael Cuscuna
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon
The back cover essay by Pete Hamill continues on both sides of the inside sleeve.
GOLDMINE GRADING
MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect.
NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly.
VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors.
VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.
GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.
POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.