Released 20 years ago
A Letter to Dexter
George Cables · 2006
67 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant tapestry of intricate melodies and improvisation that pays homage to jazz's rich heritage while showcasing personal artistry.
Top tracks — play these first
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Body and Soul — This classic standard showcases Cables' lyrical piano style and ability to breathe new life into well-known material with rich harmonic exploration.
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Catalonian Nights — Opening the album, this piece features a captivating blend of rhythm and melody, setting the tone for the entire project with its complex structure.
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'Round About Midnight — 'Round About Midnight stands out for its emotive interpretation, revealing Cables' ability to convey deep feeling through subtle dynamics and phrasing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances but lacks broader cultural reach.
What we noticed
- Each track typically maintains a moderate tempo, with shifts in dynamics that create a sense of ebb and flow throughout the record.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between instruments, enhancing the conversational quality of the performances.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intricate melodies for deep listening
- late-night reflective solitude
- warm, inviting improvisational flow
- gentle pacing for relaxed moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2006, A Letter to Dexter marked George Cables' return to recording as a leader after several years. This album came during a phase of renewed creative energy, following his previous work, and serves as a tribute to the influential musician Dexter Gordon, highlighting Cables' deep respect for jazz tradition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· McCoy Tyner· Herbie Hancock
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Catalonian Nights 7:11
- 2 Three O’Clock in the Morning 5:42
- 3 Cheese Cake 5:13
- 4 Polkadots and Moonbeams 8:16
- 5 Tanya 5:58
- 6 Fried Bananas 4:59
- 7 Body and Soul 8:10
- 8 I Told You So 5:01
- 9 Who Can I Turn To? 6:51
- 10 LTD (Long Tall Dexter) 5:38
- 11 ’Round About Midnight 4:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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