Sonny Rollins • With The Modern Jazz Quartet

 

Review by Lindsay Planer  
Included here are some of Sonny Rollins' earliest sessions as a bandleader. These are among the fresh and vibrant baker's dozen of selections on Sonny Rollins With the Modern Jazz Quartet (1953). The title is a bit misleading though, since the MJQ -- with John Lewis (piano), Milt Jackson (vibes), Percy Heath (bass), and Kenny Clarke (drums) -- is only accounted for during the first four sides. There is a playful and energetic tone that ricochets from Jackson's fluid vibes, landing firmly in Rollins' musical court. One prime example of this interaction is heard throughout the solos on the opening track, "Stopper." Similarly, "Almost Like Falling in Love" bops, weaves, and swings throughout, with some expressive contributions via Lewis, effectively linking Rollins' and Jackson's solos. "No Moe," which stands as one of the best originals on the disc, also bears their undeniable connection. Another not-to-be-missed reading is the sultry "In a Sentimental Mood." Here, Rollins spirals mature and ethereal lines against Jackson's resonant intonation and shimmer. If just for these tunes, Sonny Rollins With the Modern Jazz Quartet is a vital component in any jazz enthusiasts' collection. The rest of the disc is performed by Rollins and a quartet that also includes the talents of Kenny Drew (piano), the MJQ's Percy Heath (bass), and the main Jazz Messenger, Art Blakey (drums). On the original tune "Scoops," Blakey's hardball antics provide well-placed sonic interjections, punctuating Rollins' highly infectious melodic sense. While on the subject of catchy tunes, all ears should be directed to the biblically derived title "Shadrack," which had been a signature piece for Louis Armstrong. This early incarnation of the Sonny Rollins Quartet has rarely sounded as cohesive, as they collectively percolate with their definitive execution. Of particular note is the inclusion of Miles Davis' "I Know." This extension of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" features Davis on piano accompanying Rollins with solid chord progressions, allowing the burgeoning player to lead his first-ever quartet with Heath and Roy Haynes (drums).
https://www.allmusic.com/album/sonny-rollins-with-the-modern-jazz-quartet-mw0000195891

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Reseña de Lindsay Planer  
Aquí se incluyen algunas de las primeras sesiones de Sonny Rollins como líder de la banda. Estas están entre la fresca y vibrante docena de selecciones de Sonny Rollins con el Cuarteto de Jazz Moderno (1953). El título es un poco engañoso, ya que el MJQ - con John Lewis (piano), Milt Jackson (vibráfono), Percy Heath (bajo), y Kenny Clarke (batería) - sólo se tiene en cuenta durante los primeros cuatro lados. Hay un tono juguetón y energético que rebota de las fluidas vibras de Jackson, aterrizando firmemente en la corte musical de Rollins. Un ejemplo de esta interacción se escucha a lo largo de los solos de la pista de apertura, "Stopper". De manera similar, "Almost Like Falling in Love" hace bops, teje y se balancea a lo largo de todo, con algunas contribuciones expresivas a través de Lewis, vinculando eficazmente los solos de Rollins y Jackson. "No Moe", que se erige como uno de los mejores originales del disco, también tiene su innegable conexión. Otra lectura que no hay que perderse es la sensual "In a Sentimental Mood". Aquí, las espirales de Rollins maduran y las líneas etéreas contra la entonación resonante y el brillo de Jackson. Si sólo por estas melodías, Sonny Rollins con el Cuarteto de Jazz Moderno es un componente vital en cualquier colección de entusiastas del jazz. El resto del disco es interpretado por Rollins y un cuarteto que también incluye los talentos de Kenny Drew (piano), el Percy Heath de MJQ (bajo), y el principal mensajero del jazz, Art Blakey (batería). En la canción original "Scoops", las payasadas de Blakey proporcionan interjecciones sónicas bien situadas, puntuando el altamente infeccioso sentido melódico de Rollins. En cuanto a las melodías pegadizas, todos los oídos deben dirigirse al título bíblico "Shadrack", que ha sido una pieza emblemática de Louis Armstrong. Esta temprana encarnación del Cuarteto Sonny Rollins rara vez ha sonado tan cohesiva, ya que se filtran colectivamente con su ejecución definitiva. Cabe destacar la inclusión de "I Know" de Miles Davis. Esta extensión de "Confirmation" de Charlie Parker presenta a Davis en el piano acompañando a Rollins con progresiones de acordes sólidos, permitiendo al floreciente intérprete dirigir su primer cuarteto con Heath y Roy Haynes (batería).
https://www.allmusic.com/album/sonny-rollins-with-the-modern-jazz-quartet-mw0000195891

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Tracks:

1 - The Stopper - 2:56
2 - Almost Like Being In Love - 3:23
3 - No Moe - 3:29
4 - In A Sentimental Mood - 3:18
5 - Scoops - 2:13
6 - With A Song In My Heart - 3:06
7 - Newk's Fadeaway - 3:10
8 - Time On My Hands - 2:42
9 - This Love Of Mine - 2:24
10 - Shadrack - 2:32
11 - On A Slow Boat To China - 2:39
12 - Mambo Bounce - 2:22
13 - I Know - 2:32


Credits:
    Bass – Percy Heath
    Drums – Art Blakey (tracks: 5 to 12), Kenny Clarke (tracks: 1 to 4), Roy Haynes (tracks: 13)
    Liner Notes – Ira Gitler
    Mastered By – Joe Tarantino
    Piano – John Lewis (2) (tracks: 1 to 4), Kenny Drew (tracks: 5 to 12), Miles Davis (tracks: 13)
    Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Rollins
    Vibraphone [Vibes] – Milt Jackson (tracks: 1 to 4)

Notes
Tracks 1-4 recorded October 7, 1953.
Tracks 5-12 recorded December 17, 1951.
Track 13 recorded January 17, 1951.


Label: Original Jazz Classics ‎– OJCCD-011-2, Prestige ‎– P-7029, Original Jazz Classics ‎– OJCCD 011-2
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bop

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