Three Giants! (Gatefold Cover)

"Three Giants!", also known as Sonny Rollins Plus Four, presents some of the best recordings by the great quintet fronted by Clifford Brown, Max Roach, and Sonny Rollins. Rollins had replaced Harold Land in the group in late 1955. However, this fantastic formation was destined to end in tragedy, for in the early morning hours of June 26, 1956, Clifford Brown died in a car accident (at the age of 25) along with pianist Richie Powell (who was Bud Powell’s brother) and Powell’s wife. In the short time between Rollins’ arrival and Brownie’s death, the group had the chance to enter the recording studios on three occasions (they were, nevertheless, privately recorded live at several venues). Some of their best sides are on this LP, which includes Rollins’ “Valse Hot”, one of the first successful jazz compositions in 3/4.