Sonny Rollins, Tenor Madness (1956)

It’s the title track that was the selling point – Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane duking it out – but it’s the least interesting track on the album for me (still, it is the selling point). One of my favourite albums of all time – one of the early touchstones for me as a young jazz fan, as someone learning about the genre and the players. Making the connections from Miles Davis particularly. One of the great highlights of my time writing about music was speaking with Sonny Rollins. It’s something I won’t ever forget. There are half a dozen of his albums that I hold dear – but (for me) this is probably the one. I’m so pleased to have found a copy of the LP, second hand, in great condition. I love the playing on this record. Warm, inviting. Lovely. Every time.

Sample Track: Tenor Madness

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown