Jon Gordon
Within Worlds
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By George W. Harris

Alto saxist Jon Gordon brings together post-bop musicians like guitarist Ben Monder, drummer Billy Drummond, pianist Kevin Hays and bassist Joe Martin for a collection of tunes that ranges from the sublime to the hyperkinetic. Tunes like “Havens”, which combines Gordon’s dry alto with Monder’s tensile strings have a spacious beauty about them that is both ethereal and earthy. The title tune is a ten minute stroll that features panoramic vistas provided by the delicate interplay between Martin, Curmmond and Hays, while Monder and Gordon glide as if on ice. The lonely blues “Twilight Soul” is played at a perfectly languid tempo. The short closing three part “Suite-Notes On Freedom” is a bit jarring and edgy, and doesn’t’ quite fit the rest of the disc. Nevertheless, there is lots to commend on this freethinking release.