(Jazzugel): Sonny Rollins - The Cutting Edge (1974)

Sonny Rollins - The Cutting Edge (1974)

Audio LP, Stereo, MP3 (Blade), 320 kbps (CBR), 5% Recovery Record Included

Product Details:
Label: Milestone (NM-40.096S)
recorded: Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 6, 1974.
Producer: Orrin Keepnews
Engineer: Jim Stern
Running Time: 42:04

Review:
The title track and "First Moves" are rhythmic exercises thankfully lacking the empty technique of much '70s jazz. Similarly, Rollins' melodic improvs on Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "A House Is Not A Home" sidestep the mundanity of many jazz-pop crossovers. The set ends with a joyous "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" featuring a beautiful, hypnotic duet between Rollins and jazz bagpiper (and future Laurie Anderson sideman) Rufus Harley. At a time when many jazz players were sliding into cliche, Sonny Rollins kept moving forward.
This live set features the astonishing "To A Wild Rose," one of the tenor saxophonist's best performances. Rollins glides gently over Mtume's subtle percussion and Bob Cranshaw's lyrical electric bass before breaking loose into a stunning unaccompanied solo.

Players:
Sonny Rollins: tenor saxophone
Stanley Cowell: piano
Masuo: guitar
Bob Cranshaw: electric bass
David Lee: drums
Mtume: congas & percussion
Rufus Harley: bagpipes (on track 5)

Track List:
1. The Cutting Edge (6:37)
2. To A Wild Rose (8:32)
3. First Moves (6:58)
4. A House Is Not A Home (5:29)
5. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (14:28)