Plus Four: Rudy Van Gelder Remasters Series [Original recording remastered]

Sonny Rollins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Prestige
• ASIN: B000KP62UC
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,995 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The tenor saxophonist is listed as the leader, but Sonny Rollins Plus Four is nothing other than the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet recording for a different label (Prestige rather than Emarcy) in 1956 mere months before Brown's tragic death at age 25 in a car crash. One of the great ensembles in jazz history, the Quintet shows its inventiveness and rhythmic daring were at their peak in such numbers as "Valse Hot" and Rollins's "Pent-Up House." The only flaw of the 32-minute album is that it--like Clifford Brown's life--is too short. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be-bop lost; now found. Welcome home, December 22, 2009

By 

Jay Brown "musicologist" (WATERBURY, CT, US) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Plus Four: Rudy Van Gelder Remasters Series (Audio CD)

This album was originally released as "The Three Giants" by Prestige, and is easily in the top 5 of the best records I've ever owned. The first thing that I noticed was the "as one" harmony between Sonny and Brownie. Sonny Rollins made only ONE album (The Standard Sonny Rollins) without an original on it, prolific writer that he is. This set has two. The opener, "Valse Hot", is a waltz, and my favorite Rollins composition of all time(and that's saying a lot). Sonny's opening solo is a cool, controlled MONSTER! Brownie picks right up where he left off, and Max, who will waltz anytime, puts down the best drum solo I've ever heard. "Pent-Up House" is the other original. Brownie comes out "cookin'", followed by Sonny, and Ritchie (Bud's brother), fours all around, with Max, who then solos,and out. Of the two greatest drummers on earth, Max Roach is one. Kiss and Run is a hit and run; SO if you should ever "Feel a Song Coming On", then "Count Your Blessings" if you have this album.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Prodigal Sun, February 25, 2009

By 

rejoyce (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plus Four: Rudy Van Gelder Remasters Series (Audio CD)

This 1956 date with the incomparable quintet, including a front line of Rollins' tenor and trumpeter Clifford Brown, and drummer Max Roach, is unabashedly sunny, upbeat music. Rollins' "Valse Hot" is a prime example. However, much of the credit goes to Brown, who was Armstrong and Gillespie's presumptive heir until his tragic death. Brownie was a prodigal sun. Three superstars submerge their egos, and create a gem. Feel-good music that refuses to surrender complexity.

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sonny Rollins Plus Four, September 11, 2007

By 

Scott Moulton "SAM" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Plus Four: Rudy Van Gelder Remasters Series (Audio CD)

Fantastic. This is Sonny at his best. I love the sound he gets out of the instrument and the passion with which he plays. I met hm at a masters class at Dartmouth College in my undergraduate days in the 70's and have followed him ever since. I told him the music in this album, like him, is like fine wine. It just gets better with age.