The 1950s was the Golden Age of Jazz and this particular album sparkles more than many others made during that time. Created by saxophone genius Sonny Rollins and his distinguished set of musicians (Tommy Flanagan on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and Max Roach on drums), this album is complex, yet easy to access hard bop Jazz. Its catchy, its melodious, its bluesy, its melancholic and its foot-tapping.

The LP record has 5 tracks with a distinctively different feel to each one of them. It opens up with the now legendary calypso inspired track, St. Thomas, which is Rollins’ take on a traditional tune. It starts off with Roach’s bass drums and the moment the sax comes in, any listener’s music system would be foot-tapping on the beach of an island. Today, it’s one of the most famous jazz standards in the world.

Next comes, You Don’t Know What Love Is, a popular song from the American songbook, covered by many but given a real melancholic treatment by Rollins and the gang. This is followed by Strode Rode, a scrambled hard bop number.

Side 2 opens up with Moritat, a take on Mack the Knife from Brecht’s music drama ‘The Threepenny Opera’. It’s a cheeky street ballad and most listeners will recall the Louis Armstrong version of the same which is also absolutely stunning.

The last track is an epic 11 minutes blues piece called Blues 7, supposed to have been spontaneously composed. This is easily one of the most accomplished tracks in the album (and of Rollin’s career) with 3 distinctive and beautiful solos weaved in a single cohesive manner, aided ably by the accompanying greats.

But, the most baffling part is that Sonny Rollins was just 25 years old when he created this timeless masterpiece as a band leader. And this grand old legend is still blowing his horn even at the age of 84.

Released: April 1957 Genre: Hard Bop

Duration: 39:58 Label: Prestige Producer: Bob Weinstock

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com