title: Sophisticated Giant
text: # Sophisticated Giant
  
  Sophisticated Giant is a jazz album by saxophonist Dexter Gordon recorded in 1977 by an eleven-piece band playing tunes arranged by trombone player Slide Hampton. The album marked Gordon's return to the United States after a long residency in Europe.
  
  ## Reception
  
  Professional ratings :
  
  | Review scores ||
  | - | - |
  | Source | Rating |
  | AllMusic | |
  | The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | |
  | The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | |
  
  AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars and called it "An excellent acquisition."
  
  ## Track listing
  
  ### Side one
  
  * "Laura" (David Raksin) – 7:37
  * "The Moontrane" (Woody Shaw) – 6:36
  * "Red Top" (Lionel Hampton, Ben Kynard) – 8:51
  
  ### Side two
  
  * "Fried Bananas" (Dexter Gordon) – 7:53
  * "You're Blasé" (Ord Hamilton, Bruce Sievier) – 9:49
  * "How Insensitive" (Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes) – 4:53
  
      All tunes arranged by Slide Hampton
      Recorded June 21 & 22, 1977 at Sound Ideas, NYC by William Wittman
  
  ## Personnel
  
  * Dexter Gordon — tenor and soprano saxophone
  * Frank Wess — alto saxophone, flute, piccolo
  * Woody Shaw — trumpet, flugelhorn
  * Benny Bailey — lead trumpet, flugelhorn
  * Slide Hampton — trombone
  * Wayne Andre — lead trombone
  * Howard Johnson — tuba, baritone saxophone
  * Bobby Hutcherson — vibes
  * George Cables — piano
  * Rufus Reid — bass
  * Victor Lewis — drums
  
  ### Technical
  
  * William Wittman — engineer, recording, mixing
  