Dexter Gordon - Jazz Moods - 'Round Midnight (2005)

Part of Legacy's Jazz Moods series, this collection of Dexter Gordon ballads is taken from his run on Columbia Records in the late period of his career. While nothing here is mind-blowing, Gordon remained one of the great lyrical players throughout his long tenure in jazz and that gift is in much evidence here, especially on cuts such as "How Long Has This Been Going On," from the 'Round Midnight soundtrack, "Body and Soul," his signature tune, and versions of Monk's classics "Ruby My Dear," and "'Round Midnight." For the price it's an aurally satisfying slice of "mood" music by a master.~Thom Jurek