The colossus has been forced to hang up his horn, but there could be not better way to celebrate his legendary status than through the release of this little known chapter of his epic musical life story. Rollins toured Holland in 1967 as part of a band with local musicians, bassist Ruud Jacobs and drummer Han Bennink, thus creating another iteration of an important format, the saxophone trio, which was compelling on landmark recordings such as Freedom Suite and Way Out West.

As Rollins recalls, he had little time to really gel with his new accompanists before they went out on the road but the chemistry between the players is an important reminder of how improvised music can really come alive when relationships are unfolding in real time rather than being the result of long hours of rehearsal and careful planning. Indeed what jumps out from the git-go is how the group is able to breathe life into familiar themes, such as ‘Love Walked In’ and ‘Tune Up), rather than just run through them rote. The sly shifts in rhythmic emphasis; the bold move from hard swing to a looser pulse, the mutation of melodic material into unknown statements; the overall responsiveness of each man to the other; the wide sonic range offered by a small group with big ideas – all these characteristics delight. Rollins is consistently imperious, with the beauty of his tone, all that sensuality and muscularity, and he sustains an uninterrupted stream of phrasal ideas on every song. It is fascinating to hear live and studio takes of the same piece, (such as ‘Four’), but the absolute highlight is a gorgeous panorama of ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ that charms with quotes (‘There Will Never Be Another You’) and a truly sun- kissed joie de vivre.