Sonny Rollins - S. Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders

The last of the classic Sonny Rollins albums prior to his unexpected three-year retirement features the great tenor with pianist Hampton Hawes, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Shelly Manne (all bandleaders for Contemporary Records during this era) on an unusual but inspired list of standards. Rollins creates explorative and often witty improvisations on such songs as "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody," "You," "In the Chapel in the Moonlight," and roaring versions of "I've Found a New Baby" and "The Song Is You." Great music. - by Scott Yanow, AMG

This is superb last studio session before Rollins almost 3 years gap. And it's from his artistic peak. He plays with great feeling sometimes very quick (The Song Is You) and sometimes economical (How High The Moon, I've found a new baby - with interesting one tone passage in mid part) but always perfect. But whole band plays great. Perfect production too . Like band's playing in my living room. I love similar productions, it's the best in jazz. - Frantisek Slaninka, Amazon.com

Artist: Sonny Rollins
Album: Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders
Year: 1958
Label: OJC (1988)
Runtime: 54:57

Tracks:
1.  I've Told Ev'ry Little Star (Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein) 5:26
2.  Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixy Melody (Sam M. Lewis/Jean Schwartz/Joe Young) 4:54
3.  How High the Moon (Nancy Hamilton/Morgan Lewis) 7:44
4.  You (Harold Adamson/Walter Donaldson) 4:15
5.  I've Found a New Baby (Jack Palmer/Spencer Williams) 3:38
6.  I've Found a New Baby (alternate take) 4:24
7.  Alone Together (Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz) 6:00
8.  In the Chapel in the Moonlight (Billy Hill) 6:41
9.  The Song Is You (Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein) 5:44
10.  The Song Is You (alternate take) 6:11

Personnel:
Sonny Rollins (Tenor Saxophone)
Hampton Hawes (Piano)
Barney Kessel (Guitar)
Leroy Vinnegar (Double Bass)
Shelly Manne (Drums)
Victor Feldman (Vibraharp) - 4