The Essential Sonny Rollins - The RCA Years (2005)

This handy double-disc set is a streamlined compilation from the six-CD box of Sonny Rollins Complete RCA Victor Recordings. Rollins' tenure with the label coincided with his return from an extended period of inactivity between 1962 and 1964. Before his fine Impulse outings, Rollins began exploring the fringes of modern jazz playing outside. These various situations are represented here to a degree. Obviously, the most notable cuts come off The Bridge, one of his seminal outings, and from What's New, both of which featured guitarist Jim Hall. The more "out" material here comes from Our Man in Jazz and Three in Jazz with Ornette Coleman's sidemen Billy Higgins and Don Cherry the latter album also featured vanguard bassist Henry Grimes.

Tracklist:

CD1:

01. The Bridge
02. God Bless The Child
03. The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
04. Don't Stop The Carnival
05. If Ever I Would Leave You
06. Jungoso
07. Doxy (live)

CD2:

01. There Will Never Be Another You
02. All The Things You Are
03. Lover Man
04. Just Friends
05. Now's The Time
06. St Thomas
07. 'Round Midnight
08. Afternoon In Paris
09. Four
10. My Ship
11. Love Letters
12. Trav'lin' Light