Sonny Rollins - 'The Complete RCA Victor Recordings'

 This 6CD set has all of Sonny's recordings for RCA, including the complete contents of 'The Bridge', 'What's New', 'Our Man In Jazz', 'Sonny Meets Hawk', 'Now's the Time' and 'The Standard Sonny Rollins', the three selections originally included in the sampler '3 for Jazz', and 11 alternate takes only previously released on the French album 'The Alternative Rollins'.

Less known than Rollins' earlier Prestige and Riverside records and the slightly later Impulse albums, his output for RCA was recorded right after he came back from an extended sabbatical. The music on 'The Bridge' (which co-stars guitarist Jim Hall) is the most famous of these dates.

Sonny became increasingly interested in the avant-garde during the era, and he used two of Ornette Coleman's sidemen (trumpeter Don Cherry and drummer Billy Higgins) in his group for a period.  On 'Sonny Meets Hawk', Sonny challenged his idol Coleman Hawkins by playing as outside as possible (Hawkins responded well).  

Other musicians heard on the recordings include bassists Bob Cranshaw, Ron Carter and Henry Grimes, drummers Ben Riley and Mickey Roker, pianists Paul Bley and Herbie Hancock and (on a couple of numbers) cornetist Thad Jones.  However, Sonny is the main star throughout the adventurous and sometimes eccentric performances, coming up with many remarkable ideas, often rollicking with a pianoless rhythm section and in two cases taking duets with the congas of Candido. 

 
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