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The Best of Sonny Rollins on Impulse Records!!!

Louie Bourland | Garden Grove CA | 03/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The legendary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins was only signed with Impulse Records between 1965 and 1966 but during that time, he released three albums with the label that rank among his most important works.

"The Impulse Story" compilation includes highlights from those three albums and displays Sonny at his very best.

The opening three tracks are from Sonny's Impulse debut appropriately titled "On Impulse". These tracks are in a straight forward bebop fashion and feature Rollins in a dynamic quartet setting. His rendition of the standard "On Green Dolphin Street" is especially stellar.

The next three tracks are from Sonny's soundtrack album for the film "Alfie" and find Rollins working acceptionably well within an expanded group context. "Alfie's Theme" is an excellent extended blues-based piece that not only features an excellent solo from Sonny but also from guitarist Kenny Burrell and pianist Roger Kellaway. The remaining two "Alfie" pieces have a sort-of Miles Davis/Gil Evans vibe to them with their dynamic big band arrangements.

The final two tracks are from Sonny's final Impulse album "East Broadway Rundown" which finds him returning to the piano-less combo format that made him famous with albums like "Way Out West" and "Freedom Suite". "East Broadway's" 20 minute title track is included here in its entirety and is quite experimental in style (much like Ornette Coleman). There are great solos between Rollins and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard here as well as solid rhythm backing from John Coltrane's sidemen Elvin Jones on drums and Jimmy Garrison on bass. Rollins even performs a solo by blowing just through his saxophone's mouthpiece towards the end of the piece. The trio of Rollins, Jones and Garrison perform on a stark version of Rogers and Hammerstein's "We Kiss In a Shadow" which closes the compilation on a tender and light moment.

This CD serves as an excellent introduction to Sonny Rollins' Impulse albums and is a very well put together compilation. While it may not rank as Sonny's most essential period, the music from his Impulse albums is still rock solid and shows Sonny in top form.

Excellent compilation.

"