Album Details

Setting the Pace

RELEASE
October 27, 1965
LABEL
Prestige Records
GENRES
Jazz, Hard Bop, Post-Bop, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz

Album Review

This CD reissue has the complete contents of two former LPs, both recorded at the same session. With very stimulating playing by pianist Jaki Byard, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Alan Dawson, tenors Booker Ervin and Dexter Gordon battle it out on marathon (19 and 22 1/2 minute) versions of "Setting the Pace" and "Dexter's Deck." Although Gordon is in good form, Ervin (who sometimes takes the music outside) wins honors. The other two selections ("The Trance" and "Speak Low") are by the same group without Dexter, and these long (19 1/2- and 15-minute) showcases also find Booker in top form, sounding quite distinctive and completely original playing inside/outside music. An exciting set.
Scott Yanow, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. Setting the Pace
  2. Dexter's Deck
  3. The Trance
  4. Speak Low