Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus ( HQ/180g vinyl LP )

Release date: 06-11-2021 (Originally released in 1957)

 2021 US reissue MONO HQ 180g vinyl LP

as part of Analogue Productions’ Prestige Mono Series

Cut from the analogue masters by renowned mastering engineer Kevin Gray

one of Sonny's most acclaimed works. Also features Tommy Flanagan, Doug Watkins and Max Roach. Saxophone Colossus is arguably his finest all-around set. Joined by pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Max Roach, Rollins debuts and performs the definitive version of "St. Thomas," tears into the chord changes of "Mack the Knife" (here called "Moritat"), introduces "Strode Rode," is lyrical on "You Don't Know What Love Is," and constructs a solo on "Blue Seven" that practically defines his style. Essential music that, as with all of Rollins' Prestige recordings, has also been reissued as part of a huge "complete" box set; listeners with a tight budget are advised to pick up this single disc and be amazed.

Tracks:
A1 St Thomas
A2 You Dont Know What Love Is
A3 Strode Rode

B1 Die Moritat ("Mack the Knife")
B2 Blue 7

as part of Analogue Productions’ PrestigeMono Series

Cut from the analogue masters by renowned mastering engineer Kevin Gray

180-gram pressing by Quality Record Pressing

Deluxe high-gloss tip-on album jacket

"Since 2002, mastering facilities like those helmed by Kevin Gray have improved. Analogue Productions' 33RPM mastering produces an even larger soundstage with better depth. Add to that the fact that the new packaging is far superior to the 45RPM issue, and this one-disc package is Sonny Rollins nirvana. — 5/5 stars, Dennis Davis, vinylreviews.com.

"Analogue Productions has continued to push its own already high bar higher still. Its Quality Record Pressings plant is delivering the best vinyl discs to be found, its jackets and cover reproduction quality have hit new levels, and it continues to have the best in the biz — such as Kevin Gray for this series (25 mono LPs from the Prestige label's exceptional late-50s run) cut lacquers from original analog master tapes. ... The sound on Saxophone Colossus is upfront and immediate. Rollin's tenor is appealingly fat and sweet-sounding, the piano and bass are as nimble as kittens' paws, and the drums have a great crispness and snap." — Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, December 2015

One of the pivotal recordings in bringing about the widespread acceptance of Sonny Rollins as a major figure, Saxophone Colossus inspired critics to write scholarly analyses and fans to revel in the hard-swinging invention, humor, and tender-strength balladry. Up to this album, while most musicians recognized Rollins as one of the new influential forces in the jazz of the ’50s, most critics were carping at Rollins or damning him with faint praise. "St. Thomas," a traditional West Indian melody which Mal Waldron remembered as "The Carnival," was recorded by many artists after Sonny introduced it here, and it remains a jazz standard today. The contributions of Tommy Flanagan’s elegant swing, Doug Watkins’s steady lift, and Max Roach’s most musical accompaniment and soloing (hear "Blue 7") make this a landmark album.