Newly cut from the original analog tapes by former Contemporary Records studio employee Bernie Grundman, the 20-track set presents two classic albums from the legendary saxophonist's catalog: Way Out West (recorded in March 1957) and Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders (October 1958), adding additional context with six alternate takes on the third LP.

• Limited Edition
• 3LP Deluxe Box Set
• 180 Gram Vinyl pressed at RTI
• All-Analog Mastering from the Original Master Tapes
• Cut by Bernie Grundman
• Deluxe Tip-On Covers (albums)
• 32-Page Booklet with Vintage Photos
• Extensive New Liner Notes by Ashley Kahn
• Textured Clamshell Box
• Box with Gold Foil Accents & OBI Strip

Go West! The Contemporary Records Albums — 3LP box set!

Go West! The Contemporary Records Albums combines legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins' two studio albums for Lester Koenig's Contemporary Records, Way Out West and And The Contemporary Leaders, with a third LP, Contemporary Alternate Takes.

Featuring remastered audio by Bernie Grundman from the original analog tapes, the set is presented on 180-gram 3LP pressed at RTI and includes an expanded booklet with new notes and interview by Grammy Award-winning music historian Ashley Kahn, including a new 2021 interview with Sonny Rollins.

Newly cut from the original analog tapes by GRAMMY®-winning engineer (and former Contemporary Records studio employee) Bernie Grundman, the 20-track set presents two classic albums from the legendary saxophonist's catalog: Way Out West (recorded in March 1957) and Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders (October 1958). Adding additional context are six alternate takes, culled from both albums. Originally released in 1986 on the long-out-of-print compilation album Contemporary Alternate Takes, these tracks allow listeners to hear Rollins and his fellow musicians develop such iconic recordings as "Way Out West" and "Come, Gone."

In the spring of 1957, 26-year-old Sonny Rollins was primed for a new adventure. For nearly a decade, the tenor saxophonist had worked his way up through the ranks of the New York City jazz scene. By the mid-'50s, Rollins was playing alongside such stars as Miles Davis, Clifford Brown and Max Roach, and Thelonious Monk, and had released his first albums as a leader on Prestige Records. The saxophonist had also established himself as a talented composer, through such now-iconic jazz standards as "Oleo," "Airegin," "Doxy" and "St. Thomas." But while the Harlem-born artist was firmly entrenched in the East Coast hard bop scene, the opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of the West Coast (where the cool jazz movement was in full swing) had a strong appeal. Moreover, having recently concluded his contractual obligations with Prestige, Rollins was a free agent. In his new liner notes, Ashley Kahn writes, "The idea of freedom comes up often in chronicles of Rollins during this period. It's noted in the music he was creating—particularly in his decision to perform and record with piano-less rhythm accompaniment, allowing for a harmonic freedom, but also in his extended improvisations that developed into lengthy stories of their own. Rollins was developing his sound and approach on a daily basis."

At the center of the West Coast jazz scene was Contemporary Records. Founded in 1951 by former screenwriter and film producer Lester Koenig, the young label was home to some of Los Angeles' most exciting artists, including Shelly Manne, Barney Kessel, Hampton Hawes, Art Pepper and André Previn. From its state-of-the-art recording facilities to its high-impact jacket art, Contemporary Records had quickly established itself as an industry tastemaker—and Rollins wanted to take part in the action. Koenig, who had recently begun pairing East and West Coast musicians together, was just as eager to work with the rising star.

Musicians:

Bass – Leroy Vinnegar, Ray Brown
Drums – Shelly Manne
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Hampton Hawes
Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Rollins
Vibraphone – Victor Feldman
Producer – Lester Koenig
Recorded By – Roy DuNann

Track Listing:

LP ONE: Way Out West
A1. I’m An Old Cowhand
A2. Solitude
A3. Come, Gone
B1. Wagon Wheels
B2. There Is No Greater Love
B3. Way Out West

LP TWO: Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders
C1. I’ve Told Ev’ry Little Star
C2. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody
C3. How High The Moon
C4. You
D1. I’ve Found A New Baby
D2. Alone Together
D3. In The Chapel In The Moonlight
D4. The Song Is You

LP THREE: Contemporary Alternate Takes
E1. I’m An Old Cowhand (Alternate Take)
E2. Come, Gone (Alternate Take)
F1. Way Out West (Alternate Take)
F2. The Song Is You (Alternate Take)
F3. You (Alternate Take)
F4. I’ve Found A New Baby (Alternate Take)

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫