Search - Sonny Rollins :: Our Man in Jazz

Our man in jazz indeed!

Jack Jones | Woodland Hills, CA United States | 10/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'd been casually looking for this album since a friend turned me onto it in 1990. Why it's not more readily available (perhaps it finally is now) is beyond me. It's been worth the wait.I love piano-less trios and Sonny's put out many good dates, my favorites being "Way Out West" and "East Broadway Rundown". I'm adding "Our Man In Jazz" to that list. I see it as kind of a midway point between the two, here freeing things up from blowing changes to doing free-ish improvisation. He's joined by two of Ornette Coleman's sidemen Don Cherry and Billy Higgins, along with Sonny's longtime bassist Bob Cranshaw, who is still in his touring band and on many of his current records. Though the Ornette vibe is here (personally a good thing) it doesn't dominate: this is definitely a Sonny record. And his playing is great. The opening track "Oleo" clocks in at 25 minutes (it doesn't feel like it) and most of that is Sonny with a never ending well of ideas. Don Cherry's playing, whose wonderful style I can pick out in about 3 notes, is in good form here too. Bob Cranshaw plays electric bass these days in Sonny's band at Sonny's request "because electric bass has more definition" but his upright playing here has a beautiful tone and he's solid as a rock. Billy Higgins signiture playing shines here too, as usual. Henry Grimes plays bass on the last three tracks which are very nice, though brief, 12 of the records 66 minutes. I don't think those tracks are on the original vinyl release.In addition to the actual music the recording is superb. That these are live club recordings from 1962 is remarkable, Sonny in the right ear, Cherry in the left and the rhythm in the center, all crystal clear. I found myself wishing modern jazz records sounded like this, a little darker, without artificial reverb.It's an adventurous record no doubt so if you're in the mood, get it!"