Newk's Time (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)

Sonny Rollins burst onto the jazz scene in 1949, playing with Bud Powell’s Modernists on a Blue Note recording. He honed his skills alongside bebop greats like Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis. In the 1950s, Rollins started leading his own record sessions. Between December 1956 and November 1957, he joined forces with Alfred Lion again and recorded four amazing albums for Blue Note in less than a year. After releasing two quintet albums, Sonny Rollins, Volume 1 and Vol. 2, Rollins went back to Van Gelder Studio in September 1957 with a quartet. The group included pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Philly Joe Jones to record Newk’s Time (named after his nickname 'Newk' because he looked like Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe). The album features a diverse collection of music. There are pieces by jazz peers like Miles Davis’ “Tune Up” and Kenny Dorham’s “Asiatic Raes”, Broadway showtunes such as “Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and “Namely You”, a popular pop song “Wonderful! Wonderful!” (a hit for Johnny Mathis in 1956), and Rollins’ own lively original “Blues for Philly Joe.” This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is in stereo, all - analog. It's mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

To use this vinyl record, first make sure your turntable is clean and in good working condition. Gently place the record on the turntable and set the tonearm on the starting groove. Enjoy the rich, warm sound of this classic jazz album. When handling the record, always hold it by the edges to avoid fingerprints and scratches. After each use, put the record back in its sleeve carefully. Store the record in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. This will help keep the vinyl in good shape and ensure you can enjoy the music for years to come.