Tenor Madness

Recorded in May 1956 this is Rollins with the rhythm section of the first and greatest of the Miles Davis quintets, with, on one track, John Coltrane, also then with Miles, added. The track where both tenors feature is the title track, lasting for some twelve minutes. It's not really a battle, unlike many tenor duos in the past, and there is not even an air of conflict. Both horns play well, in their then current styles, and it is difficult to say either plays better than the other. Both play with mutual respect, a great deal of originality and produce eminently satisfactory solos. Both were on the way to future greatness and produce solos that clearly show this. If only for this track this disc is important.But of course there isn't only this track. There are three relatively little known standards, 'When Your Lover Has Gone', 'My Reverie', and 'The Most Beautiful Girl In The World', and one perky original 'Paul's Pal' which Rollins played quite a lot at the time. All feature Rollins at length and all have him playing with great originality and swing, a full powerful tone and that ability he always had at this time to deconstruct a tune and then to bring it back together again. Here, he had complete mastery of all he tried.Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones together were what must have been the hippest rhythm section ever. Here they ooze class in all they do. Garland plays that deceptively casual but always swinging right hand launched by the left hand chords ( yes, he was the one who perfected that style) but also shows his delicate melodic gifts on the slower numbers. Chambers and Jones show why they were pretty much the best on their instruments.I know that if you bought all the records reviewers say you should you would be pretty quickly bankrupt, but this is one not to miss!

One could not comment on the music, since it is a matter of taste. Nevertheless, the vinyl quality is good and as such it makes a good product if the price is right.

Excellent !

AN ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE ALBUM FOR ANY ROLLINS FAN.AN EVOLUTIONARY STEP FOR THE GREATNESS THAT WAS TO FOLLOW.Malcolm J Greaves stroudfm.co.uk Jazz Presenter

Un CD arrivé dans les délais et livré en très bon état, sous blister.M E R C IM:M