Sonny Rollins – On Impulse! (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series)

Description

Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original analog tapes

180-gram LPs pressed at Quality Record Pressings!

In 1965 and 1966, tenor giant Sonny Rollins issued three albums for the Impulse! label. They were his last until 1972 when he re-emerged from a self-imposed retirement. Here on this July 8, 1965 date, Rollins attacks five standards with a quartet that included pianist Ray Bryant, bassist Walter Booker and drummer Mickey Roker.

Rollins digs deeply into pulse and rhythm, leaving melody to take care of itself. AllMusic says "This is not a 'new thing' date but instead focuses on playing according to the dictates of the rhythm section and on interchanging with Booker and Roker, leaving much of the melodic aspect of these tunes to Bryant. Rollins could never quite leave the melody out of anything he played because of his intense gift as a lyrical improviser; he nonetheless stripped his approach back and played tunes like 'On Green Dolphin Street' by improvising according to theme rather than strict melody, where his interplay with the rhythm section becomes based on the dynamic and shifting times played by Roker. While things are more intimate and straight on 'Everything Happens to Me,' he nonetheless plays the edges, filling the space like a drummer. Melody happens throughout, the tune is recognizable, but it is stretched in his solo to a theme set by the shimmering cymbals and brushed snare work of Roker. The oddest cuts in the set are the last two; spaced out readings of 'Blue Room,' and 'Three Little Words'; they sound as if he were preparing the listener for a true change in his approach.