Love at First Sight

Released in 1980 on the Milestone label, Love at First Sight represents Sonny Rollins' engagement with the contemporary jazz-fusion sounds of the era. The record is notable for its high-profile personnel, including keyboardist George Duke and bassist Stanley Clarke, whose presence shifts the sonic palette toward a more electric, polished aesthetic. While Rollins revisits his own hard bop history with a new version of 'Strode Rode' (originally from the 1956 masterpiece Saxophone Colossus), the majority of the album is characterized by a lighter, more lyrical touch. Critics often view this period of Rollins' career as more commercially oriented and less 'essential' than his 1950s output, but the album remains a fascinating document of his adaptability. The production is typical of early 80s jazz - clean, separated, and featuring prominent use of electric instrumentation and percussion, yet Rollins' distinctive 'thematic' improvisation remains the focal point throughout.