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Sonny Rollins: No Problem

LP: Milestone M9104
CD: Milestone OJCCD 1014

Personnel
Sonny Rollins (ts); Bobby Broom (g); Bobby Hutcherson (vib); Bob Cranshaw (el-b); Tony Williams (d)

Recording Date & Location
9-16 Dec 1981, Berkeley, CA

Commentary
Sonny has never been known as a musician who captures his best work on records, especially since the Seventies. No Problem is one of his lesser efforts. From the sound of it, this record is Rollins’ stab at a “contemporary” record, mixing pop, R&B, and Caribbean sounds with jazz. There’s nothing wrong with that, but much of it sounds dated. And it’s not exactly the type of music you would expect with monsters like Tony Williams and Bobby Hutcherson sitting in on the session. By far, the best track on the album is Hutcherson’s composition, “Jo Jo.” The ballad “Illusions” is good too, but it breaks off only after 2.16, just when Rollins seems to be warming up. I know that Hutcherson toured with Rollins around this time. I’m sure they were fabulous in concert. But this recording is a missed opportunity.