Benny Golson: Next Steps

Philly tenor saxophonist Benny Golson dabbled widely, composing for the screen even as he led a variety of bands from the '50s onward. His Funky Quintet shines on 2000's “Mississippi Windows”, with its lazy New Orleans piano stroll, while he more than lives up to the title of “Touch Me Lightly” without sacrificing the plucky skip in his step. And as a featured player, Golson lends impeccable fluidity to Hank Jones' “Mean What You Say”.