Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume 1 (1956/2013) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume 1 (1956/2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 40:53 minutes | 1,29 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Sonny Rollins’ first outing for Blue Note was recorded at that label’s last session of 1956. The album features Rollins playing with Gene Ramey (bass), Max Roach (drums), Donald Byrd (trumpet), and Wynton Kelly (piano).

“In preparing these hi def remasters, we were very conscientious about maintaining the feel of the original releases while adding a previously unattainable transparency and depth. It now sounds like you’ve set up your chaise lounge right in the middle of Rudy Van Gelder’s studio!” – Blue Note President, Don Was.

After several incredible dates for Prestige, Rollins moved over to Blue Note to cut a series of studio and live recordings; while not as groundbreaking as his earlier work, the albums still stand out among the many hard bop releases of the day. Upon listening to this, his fine debut for the label, not to mention classics like Saxophone Colossus and Sonny Rollins Plus Four, one almost takes for granted the tenor giant’s ability to reel off a nonstop flow of breathtaking solo lines while keeping an overall thematic structure intact. And even though it’s not as classic sounding as other Blue Note titles like Vol. 2 or Newk’s Time, Sonny Rollins, Vol. 1 will satisfy Rollins fans comfortable with a mostly loose and free-flowing set; the hard-swinging originals “Bluesnote” and “Sonnysphere” certainly fit the bill, while the loping blues “Decision” and easy swinger “Plain Jane” up the ante with fetching head statements. Topping things off, Rollins includes one of his singular Broadway song interpretations with the Finian’s Rainbow ballad “How Are Things in Glocca Mora.” Figuring prominently in the proceedings are veteran bassist Gene Ramey, longtime drummer Max Roach, and then up-and-coming hard bop stars trumpeter Donald Byrd and pianist Wynton Kelly. Maybe not a first-choice disc for Rollins newcomers, but certainly an essential title down the line.

Tracklist:
01. Sonny Rollins – Decision (08:01)
02. Sonny Rollins – Bluesnote (06:59)
03. Sonny Rollins – How Are Things In Glocca Morra? (06:18)
04. Sonny Rollins – Plain Jane (09:57)
05. Sonny Rollins – Sonnysphere (09:36)

Personnel:
Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone
Donald Byrd – trumpet
Wynton Kelly – piano
Gene Ramey – bass
Max Roach – drums

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