Possessor of a distinctly earthy tone, tenor saxist Charlie Rouse is best known for his long term association with Thelonious Monk. This four disc collection focuses on his life outside of that classic quartet, and it’s worth exploring. His first album in 1957 has him with boppers Wynton Kelly-Hank Jones/p, Wendell Marshall/b, Ed Thigpen/dr and guest Freddie Green/g for a couple of tracks, the classy “You’re Cheating Yourself” and “When The Blues Come On”. In 1960, he joins with Blue Mitchell/tp, Walter Bishop/p, Earl May/b and Art Taylor/dr for a cooking “Upptankt” and smoky read of “They Didn’t Believer Me”. An album with Taylor as the leader brings Rouse together in a front line with F rank Foster for hard boppers and Monk tunes like “Rhythm-A-Ning” and “Straight No Chaser”. With leader Herbie Mann on flute, Rouse wails with Kenny Burrell/g, Art Taylor/dr, George Joyner/b and Mal Waldron/p for a bebop classic in “Jumpin’ With Symphony Side” and a stretched out “Gospel Truth”.
A 1961 session has him back in the lead, fronting Dave Bailey/dr, Peck Morrison/b and Billy Gardner/p for some Rouse originals like “Lil Rousin’” and standards like “You Don’t Know What Love Is”. Possibly his best release is a 1965 mix of hard bop and bossa nova with a handful of percussionists as well as Kenny Burrell/g, Willie Bobo/dr and Larry Gales/b for some gloriously over the top pieces like “Back To The Tropics” and “Velhos Tempos”. A truly unsung giant.