Rollins Sonny

Sonny Rollins' RCA recordings form a suite of improvisational approaches that range from the classicism of The Bridge to the stream of consciousness of Our Man In Jazz to the assimilation of both methods heard in The Standard Sonny Rollins. Over the course of two very important years in his development as an improviser, Rollins was placed in a variety of contexts that frequently brought out of the best him, and never elicited anything less than true spontaneity and invention.

How badly did Rollins want to refine his playing? The saxophonist shocked the world in 1959 and took a break, returning in 1962 with the stellar set, The Bridge, named after the Williamsburg Bridge, where he practiced by himself. He's paired here with guitarist Jim Hall, whose communicative lines, along with Rollins' esteemed solos and melancholy patterns, gives The Bridge lofty status. The quartet tackles both originals and standards such as Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" and Cole Porter's "You Do Something to Me," turning up aces every time.

One of the most underrated albums in Rollins' extensive catalog, 1962's What's New? is his second recording for the RCA Victor label and finds the tenor saxophone giant blending jazz with Latin rhythms in his own singular style and working with the likes of Jim Hall (guitar), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Ben Riley (drums), Dennis Charles / Frank Charles / Willie Rodriguez (percussion) and Candido Camero (congas). Includes the transcendent numbers "Jungoso," "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" and "Brown Skin Girl."

Vinyl Passion presents a double shot of Sonny Rollin's RCA milestone releases The Bridge and What's New? in one 2LP package!