Tenor saxophonist
Sonny Rollins' first recording after ending a surprising three-year retirement found the great saxophonist sounding very similar to how he had played in 1959, although he would soon start investigating freer forms. In a pianoless quartet with guitarist
Jim Hall, bassist
Bob Cranshaw, and drummer
Ben Riley,
Rollins explores four standards (including "Without a Song" and "God Bless the Child") plus two fiery originals, highlighted by the title cut. The interplay between
Rollins and
Hall is consistently impressive, making this set a near-classic and a very successful comeback. ~ Scott Yanow