Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 02/24/2004
Run Time: 33:58
In his early prime and well-respected, tenor saxophonist
Sonny Rollins cut this fine
hard bop date as one of several late-'50s sessions for
Blue Note. The record is part classic date, part blowing session, sporting a mix of engaging head statements and lengthy solos.
Rollins takes to the spacious quartet setting, stretching out on taut versions of
Miles Davis' '50s concert opener
"Tune Up" and
Kenny Dorham's
"Asiatic Raes." Keeping the
swing hard but supple are drummer
Philly Joe Jones, bassist
Doug Watkins, and pianist
Wynton Kelly;
Jones was certainly the standout in this well-respected sampling of the best young players of the period, as he oftentimes matched the intensity and ingenuity of the star soloists he backed.
Jones, in fact, puts in some career highlights on
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" and
"The Surrey With the Fringe on Top," just two of many wholly unique
Tin Pan Alley song interpretations
Rollins has done in his long career. From a career-defining period before the legendary Williamsburg Bridge layoff of two years,
Rollins'
Newk's Time may not make classic status in
jazz roundups, but it certainly is a must for fans of this most important of classic
hard bop soloists.
~Stephen Cook, All Music Guide
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