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Take a Number from 1 to 10 is an album by saxophonist Benny Golson, featuring performances recorded in late 1960 and early 1961 and originally released on the Argo label.[1]

Take a Number from 1 to 10
Studio album by Benny Golson
Released	1961
Recorded	December 13 & 14, 1960 and April 11, 1961 Nola's Penthouse Sound Studio, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	41:55
Label	Argo LP 684
Producer	Kay Norton
Benny Golson chronology
Big City Sounds (1960) Take a Number from 1 to 10 (1961) The Jazztet and John Lewis (1961)

Background

This was Golson's first recording as leader for Argo.[2]^: 7 The concept for the album – start with a track of solo saxophone by Golson, then add one musician for each of the remaining tracks, finishing with ten for the final one – was that of producer Kay Norton.[2]^: 7

Recording and music

The first seven tracks were recorded on December 13 and 14, 1960.[2]^: 19 Golson begins on tenor saxophone with one chorus of "You're My Thrill".[2]^: 7 "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" adds bassist Tommy Williams, who maintains the tempo while "matching Golson's intensity".[2]^: 8 Drummer Albert Heath is added for a trio version of "The Best Thing for You Is Me"; then pianist Cedar Walton joins, becoming the fourth member of the Golson-Art Farmer-led band the Jazztet playing, for "Impromptune".[2]^: 8 Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard plays on the medium tempo "Little Karin", which was named after Norton's daughter.[2]^: 8 "Swing It" is a fast blues with Curtis Fuller on trombone added; the sextet with Fuller, Hubbard, and Walton presaged the 1961 version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.[2]^: 8 Golson is the main soloist for the ballad "I Fall in Love Too Easily", which has Sahib Shihab added on baritone saxophone.[2]^: 8

The personnel changed considerably for the final three tracks, recorded on April 11, 1961.[2]^: 19 The octet that plays "Out of This World" consists of baritone saxophone, two tenor saxophones, trumpet, trombone, French horn, bass, and drums; they form rhythms that allow Golson to flow in and out of the harmonic structure of the composition.[2]^: 8 A second trumpet is added for "The Touch"; and another, Farmer, completes the tentet for "Time".[2]^: 8

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]

The Allmusic review describes the album as "A gimmick record that transcends its novelty trappings [...] While the progressive sonic expansion is fascinating to behold, the small-group settings are no less impressive for their intimacy and nuance".[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Benny Golson except as indicated

1. "You're My Thrill" (Burton Lane, Ned Washington) – 1:36
2. "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (Cole Porter) – 4:11
3. "The Best Thing for You Is Me" (Clifford Brown, Buddy DeSylva, Ray Henderson) – 2:49
4. "Impromptune" – 3:03
5. "Little Karin" – 3:36
6. "Swing It" – 4:26
7. "I Fall in Love Too Easily" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 4:47
8. "Out of This World" (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) – 3:54
9. "The Touch" – 5:16
10. "Time" – 3:35

• Recorded at Nola's Penthouse Sound Studio in New York City on December 13, 1960 (tracks 1–4), December 14, 1960 (tracks 5–7) and April 11, 1961 (tracks 8-10)

Personnel

Musicians

• Benny Golson – tenor saxophone
• Art Farmer (track 10), Bernie Glow (tracks 9 & 10), Freddie Hubbard (tracks 5–7), Nick Travis (tracks 8–10) – trumpet
• Willie Ruff – French horn (tracks 8–10)
• Bill Elton (tracks 8–10), Curtis Fuller (tracks 6 & 7) – trombone
• Hal McKusick – alto saxophone (tracks 8–10)
• Sol Schlinger (tracks 8–10), Sahib Shihab (track 7) – baritone saxophone
• Cedar Walton – piano (tracks 4–7)
• Tommy Williams – bass (tracks 2–10)
• Albert Heath – drums (tracks 3–10)

Production

• Kay Norton – production
• Tommy Nola – recording engineering

References

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