Rollins, Sonny - Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2

Having first appeared on a Blue Note session as a member of Bud Powell’s Modernists in 1949, Sonny Rollins returned to the label in 1956 to record a series of four tremendous leader dates in less than a year. Recorded in April 1957, the saxophonist’s 2nd album for Alfred Lion, Vol. 2, found him in esteemed company with J.J. Johnson on trombone, Horace Silver on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Blakey on drums for a high-spirited bop date. The 6-song set opens with two rollicking Rollins originals (“Why Don’t I?” and “Wail March”) and closes with interpretations of two popular songs (“You Stepped Out Of A Dream” and “Poor Butterfly”). For the album’s two centerpieces, pianist Thelonious Monk joins the festivities for memorable versions of his compositions “Misterioso” and “Reflections.”

Tracklist:
A1 Why Don't I
A2 Wail March
A3 Misterioso
B1 Reflections
B2 You Stepped Out Of A Dream
B3 Poor Butterfly