4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

The superior reissue series on Dragon features Swedish baritonist Lars Gullin in his prime. The fifth CD, First Walk, showcases Gullin in three quartets and with three medium-size groups. Gullin, who was a perfect baritonist for cool jazz, is the star throughout, not only contributing solos but memorable originals in "That's It," "Danny-O," and "First Walk"; the latter has Gullin making a rare appearance on bass clarinet. All 26 selections will be enjoyed by fans of 1950s West Coast-style jazz. Highly recommended.

PERSONNEL:

• ROLF BLOMQVIST, CARL-HENRIK LINDGREN, tenor sax
• JONAS BERGSTRÖM, alto sax
• BENGT HALLBERG, MATS OLSSON, GUNNAR SVENSSON, INGEMAR WESTBERG, piano
• GUNNAR ALMSTEDT, BENGT WITTSROM, YNGVE AKERBERG, bass
• JACK NOREN, ANDERS BURMAN, NILS-BERTIL DAHLANDER, drums

TRACKS:

• 01. That's It
• 02. Gull In A Gulch
• 03. All Yours
• 04. Deep Purple
• 05. Danny-O
• 06. Laura
• 07. All God's Chillun
• 08. Blue Lou
• 09. Dancing In The Dark
• 10. Alone
• 11. The Continental
• 12. I Got It Bad
• 13. Dancing In The Dark
• 14. Alone
• 15. All The Things You Are
• 16. Mean To Me
• 17. Dorica
• 18. I'll Remember April
• 19. Who Sleeps
• 20. First Walk
• 21. Long Ago And Far Away
• 22. Top Hat
• 23. Liza
• 24. Toll Bridge
• 25. Smart Alec
• 26. Sov du lilla vide ung