Sonny Rollins - The Bridge - Hybrid stereo SACD

How badly did Sonny Rollins want to refine his playing?

The saxophonist shocked the world in 1959 and took a break, returning in 1962 with this splendiferous set, named after the Williamsburg Bridge, where he practiced by himself. He's paired here with guitarist Jim Hall, whose communicative lines, along with Rollins' esteemed solos and melancholy patterns, gives The Bridge lofty status. The quartet tackles both originals and standards such as Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" and Cole Porter's "You Do Something to Me," turning up aces every time.

Mastered from the original master tapes, this Hybrid SACD presents the Bluebird/RCA classic in the finest sound it's ever known. Everything from each of Rollins' dip-and-dive patterns to the patter of Ben Riley's drums is heard with extreme detail and range. If you love the realism, clarity, and you-are-there detail of classic jazz, you don't want to miss this superb reissue.