Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2, recorded for Blue Note, is a timeless session and a milestone in jazz history that gathered together some of the founding fathers of the post-bop era. Joining
Rollins are
Jazz Messengers Art Blakey on drums and
Horace Silver on piano,
Miles Davis' favorite bassist
Paul Chambers, the quintessential trombonist
J.J. Johnson, and even
Thelonious Monk himself. The tour de force in swing begins with a bang and doesn't let up until the last note has faded away.
Rollins' own uptempo "Why Don't I" kicks off the session with a rhythmic jolt before his big tenor launches into a classic swinging solo followed by turns from
Johnson and
Silver and some heated exchanges with
Blakey. The aptly titled "Wail March" begins deceptively with a street-beat groove before careening into several blistering solo choruses.
Monk sits in for his own "Misterioso" and "Reflections," two quintessential works from this eccentric master that are given excellent readings here. The bouncing "You Stepped Out of a Dream" provides some tasty interaction between
Rollins and
Johnson. Finally, the lilting "Poor Butterfly" is a nice bluesy ending to this all-star session.