Sonny Rollins - Work Time (1956/2009/2014) [Official Digital Download]

Another jazz classic that engineer Rudy Van Gelder recorded and digitally upgraded, Worktime is considered among Sonny Rollins's best albums. Recorded with Ray Bryant on piano, bassist George Morrow and the incomparable Max Roach on drums, this album was made shortly after Rollins came East as a member of the Max Roach/Clifford Brown group.

After he was coaxed out of seclusion in Chicago to replace Harold Land in the Clifford Brown/Max Roach quintet in 1954, this 1955 release was Sonny Rollins' first album as a leader since the conclusion of his first self-imposed sabbatical. Roach is on hand in the drummer's seat, spurring Rollins along every step of the way. Not that the tenorist needs much spurring – he comes flying out of the gate on the opening tune, "There's No Business Like Show Business" and doesn't let up for the duration of the session. He takes his first chorus on "Show Business" with only bassist George Morrow for support, then when the drums come in, he blows ferocious double-time before giving way to Roach's extremely musical solo. Rollins and Roach also work off of each other to great effect on "Raincheck," trading fours on this imaginative selection from the from the Billy Strayhorn catalog. Even on the more relaxed tempo of "There Are Such Things," Rollins' exploration of the changes combines a classic tenor's warm breathy tone with a bebopper's determination to leave no possibility unconsidered. Pianist Ray Bryant's playing is also impeccable throughout.

Tracklist:

01 - There's No Business Like Show Business
02 - Paradox
03 - Rain Check
04 - There Are Such Things
05 - It's All Right With Me

Produced by Bob Weinstock.
Recorded on December 2, 1955 at Van Gelder Studio in 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 2008.

Musicians:
Sonny Rollins - tenor saxophone
Ray Bryant - 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!