Sonny Rollins – Vol. 2 (Tone Poet Vinyl Series)

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.”

Blue Note Tone Poet Series

The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.

Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180g audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology Inc. Every aspect of these Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.

This mono Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe tip-on gatefold jacket.

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