Sonny Rollins, Freedom Suite
For an African-American artist to title his album (and the 19-minute opus that anchors it) The Freedom Suite, was a brave and controversial gesture back in 1958, to the point that in subsequent editions the Riverside label briefly renamed it Shadow Waltz and censored Rollins 'elliptical allusion to racial prejudice in the liner notes. Ironically, the suite itself, while arguably the most cerebrally ambitious composition of Rollins 'career, was the opposite of feisty. Three or four melodic themes subtly interweave throughout the piece, which includes one particularly mournful passage and some subdued balladry. And all three principals — Rollins, drummer Max Roach and bassist Oscar Pettiford — make superb use of the ample solo space, or "freedom," the music accords them.
The rest of the disc is more lighthearted and (at least initially) engaging. An accomplished sleuth at unearthing obscure but superb pop songs, Rollins transforms Noel Coward's "Someday I'll Find You" into a sporty improvisational vehicle highlighted by a series of thrilling call-and-response exchanges with Roach. And the two takes (#3 and #4) of the lilting show tune "Til There Was You" included here provide a revealing glimpse into Rollins 'creative method. Although both clock in at exactly 4:59, take #3 is much more adventurous in its tonal variation and melodic deconstruction than take #4.
Finally, kudos to the sidemen. Rollins had been a longstanding member of the Clifford Brown-Max Roach quintet, which helps explain the keen telepathy between tenor and drummer. But Pettiford, a bebop titan until his sudden unexpected death in 1960 at age 38, is the rhythmic standard-bearer of this piano-less trio. His robust, probing tone sounds devoid of error, and is particularly welcome during his solo on "Will You Still Be Mine?" — saving an otherwise mediocre tune.
