Gordon Lee – Rough Jazz – Reviewer: Alan Stone

“Lee varies the density of feeling throughout the CD, the placid and familiar Someone to Watch Over Me is given a poetic and delicate reading by Lee, but while the listener understands the language used, it remains fresh and satisfying. It’s followed by Deception and Tobacco Monkey, the latter alternating a dissonant tenor solo with a stride piano vamp alternating with a restatement of John Gross’s themes…”

All Music Guide – Reviewer: Adam Greenburg

“…Highlights include the grooving bluesy Tobacco Monkey (an anti-smoking anthem actually) and the ending Alternative Blues. Both allow the horn sections to cut loose in various solos in widely different styles, one funky and one somewhat more restrained…”

Improvijazzation Nation – Reviewer: Rotcod Zzaj

“…This is our first experience with Gordon’s wonderful big-band sound, but it won’t be the last, I’m sure. Lee’s keyboards are highlighted, naturally, but the rest of the 16-piece group is able to show off their talent in a very balanced way! The kinda’ jazz you used to hear… the recording is excellent, & captures the pure & joyful energy of Gordon’s compositions in a fashion that will make this one of your favorite albums of the year…”

The Oregonian – Reviewer: Lynn Darroch

“…Fortunately, each tune is built on a recurring melody that defines its character, and is driven by a persistent rhythmic pulse that allows the swinging velocity of jazz syncopation to assert itself, transporting the music from tone poem to dance…”

All About Jazz – Reviewer: Jack Bowers

“…his charts are by no means easy to play. He has cleared that hurdle by mustering a seventeen-piece ensemble comprised of some of the most accomplished musicians in his neighborhood, players who at least make it sound easy…”