Sonny Please

76 years young, and still blazing a trail. On the eponymous opening track, Rollins comes out of the traps burning over a cooking rhythm section and doesn't ease off for the rest of Sonny, Please. Which is not to say the pace doesn't alter (the second song is a Noel Coward waltz) but the intensity and focus are constant.

The generous, idiosyncratic musical personality of the great man shines through all his repertoire – playfulness and geniality mixed with absolutely serious technical and emotional intent. Like a stage magician, he takes a standard such as Stairway To The Stars and reassembles it in his own image in front of our eyes (and ears) – an utterly captivating exercise.

There's sterling assistance from electric bassist Bob Cranshaw, a longtime pillar of support, as well as the excellent Bobby Broom on guitar, and trombonist Clifford Anderson, who shoulders half of the frontline horn duties.