Sonny Rollins - Plus Four (1956/2006/2014) [Official Digital Download]

Sonny Rollins plays with the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet, of which he was a member at the time, on this famed 1956 release. The album was the last full recording including pianist Richie Powell and trumpeter Clifford Brown, who both died in a car accident three months later. Although Rollins is clearly the group leader on this date, the style and playing are logical extensions of the fine work being done by the Brown-Roach group on Emarcy Records at the time.

In 1956 Sonny Rollins used the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet (of which he was a member) as his sidemen for this Prestige set. The high points of this particularly strong hard bop set include "Valse Hot" (an early jazz waltz), a rapid rendition of "I Feel a Song Coming On," and Rollins's classic "Pent-Up House." Trumpeter Brown (heard on one of his final sessions) is in excellent form, as is the strong rhythm section and the young tenor-leader himself.

Tracklist:

01 - Valse Hot
02 - Kiss And Run
03 - I Feel A Song Coming On
04 - Count Your Blessings (Instead Of Sheep)
05 - Pent-Up House

Produced by Bob Weinstock.
Recorded on March 22, 1956, at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey.
All transfers were made from the analog master tapes to digital at 24-bit resolution. Supervision by Bob Weinstock.
Remastered by Rudy Van Gelder at Van Gelder Studio in 2006.

Musicians:
Sonny Rollins - tenor saxophone
Clifford Brown - trumpet
Richie Powell - piano
George Morrow - bass
Max Roach - drums

A Note From Rudy Van Gelder:
I was the engineer on the recording sessions and I also made the masters for the original LP issues of these albums. Since the advent of the CD, other people have been making the masters. Mastering is the final step in the process of creating the sound of the finished product. Now, thanks to the folks at the Concord Music Group who have given me the opportunity to remaster these albums, I can present my versions of the music on CD using modern technology. I remember the sessions well, I remember how the musicians wanted to sound, and I remember their reactions to the playbacks. Today, I feel strongly that I am their messenger.

Thanks to the Original customer!