Sonny Rollins - Nucleus (1991)

It has long been a disappointment to many longtime followers that Rollins's recordings of the 1970s and '80s were generally not at the same level as his earlier sessions. Nucleus is a case in point. This funky date (which also includes trombonist Raul DeSouza, Bennie Maupin on reeds and keyboardist George Duke) has its moments (including an updated version of "My Reverie") but falls far short of hinting at any new innovations -- Scott Yanow