Sonny Rollins

4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

At a time when he was a member of the legendary Clifford Brown/Max Roach sextet, Sonny Rollins was still the apple fallen not too far from the tree of Miles Davis. Tenor Madness was the recording that, once and for all, established Newk as one of the premier tenor saxophonists, an accolade that in retrospect, has continued through six full decades and gives an indication why a young Rollins was so well liked, as his fluency, whimsical nature, and solid construct of melodies and solos gave him the title of the next Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young of mainstream jazz.

PERSONNEL:

• SONNY ROLLINS, tenor sax
• RED GARLAND, piano
• PAUL CHAMBERS, bass
• PHILLY JOE JONES, drums

• Guest: JOHN COLTRANE, tenor sax on A-1

Hackensack, New Jersey, May 24, 1956

SIDE A:

• 01. Tenor Madness
• 02. When Your Lover Has Gone

SIDE B:

• 01. Paul's Pal
• 02. My Reverie
• 03. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World