Modern Jazz Quartet with Sonny Rollins

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Item Description:  MJQ's  "The Modern Jazz Quartet At Music Inn" with guest artist Sonny Rollins on Atlantic 1299. Pianist John Lewis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Connie Kay move through a gorgeous medley of standards including "Stardust," "I Can't Get Started," and "Lover Man," with beautiful and clever counterpoint between Lewis and Jackson on the melody lines. There are two of Lewis' originals here as well. The first is the wry, spare "Midsömmer" that begins atmospherically, with sparse lines played by Jackson that reverberate as Heath's bowed bass underscores them. When Lewis enters, the melody unfolds tenderly and thoughtfully. It's a ballad of tension and textures. Lewis' penchant for classical architecture permeates the tune, though it swings gently as well, with Kay's brushed cymbals and gracefully caressed hi hat. "Festival "Sketch," at a little over three-and-a-half minutes, takes a counterpoint melody and generates a skittering swing tune out of it.  The Modern Jazz Quartet are joined by a guest for the final two cuts;  Sonny Rollins digs in on both the classic "Bags Groove," composed by Jackson, and Dizzy Gillespie's bebop anthem "Night in Tunisia." Both tunes are rooted in blues grooves. Rollins understands the MJQ's use of tension and dynamics beautifully. His big, warm tone above Lewis and Jackson on the former is sweet, relaxed, and in-the-pocket. On the latter, the knotty melodic frame is played a little slower, but is a tough finger popper nonetheless, with Rollins playing accents in the opening vamps and the just gliding into his big bluesy solo. To say that this set works is an understatement. It is a highlight of the group's storied career on Atlantic.
Pressing:  Deep groove black label original.
Condition:  Near mint vinyl; Labels have a single spindle mark; cover in excellent shape with one slightly bumped corner, but solid seams and no trace of shelf wear.
Shipping: $5.00 media mail or $10.00 priority within USA.  If you win more than one item, I will combine and reduce shipping accordingly.  All LPs are shipped outside the sleeve in an extra static free type sleeve and are carefully packed in mailers made for record shipment.