The Sound of Sonny

Released in 1957 on the Riverside label, The Sound of Sonny represents a pivotal moment in Sonny Rollins' career, marked by his decision to record for multiple labels simultaneously - a move considered radical at the time. This freedom allowed him to experiment with varying personnel, including pianists Sonny Clark and Gil Coggins, and bassists Percy Heath and Paul Chambers. The album is notable for its inclusion of Rollins' first unaccompanied solo recording, 'It Could Happen to You,' which presaged his later avant-garde explorations. Critics often highlight this period as Rollins' 'New Star' era, where his melodic brilliance and rhythmic wit became the gold standard for the tenor saxophone. The repertoire consists largely of standards, yet Rollins treats them with a subversive playfulness, frequently quoting other tunes and altering time signatures to keep the listener off-balance. It remains a cornerstone of the hard bop movement.