Saxophone Colossus (20 Bit Mastering) [Original recording remastered]

Sonny Rollins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1956
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Prestige
• ASIN: B00000K0YC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,205 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. St. Thomas

2. You Don't Know What Love Is

3. Strode Rode

4. Moritat

5. Blue 7

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though he lacked the improvisational fire of John Coltrane or the restless curiosity of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins played with a rich, round tone that complemented his melodic inclinations, making him the most accessible of the postbop musicians. Saxophone Colossus is the most successful of the late 1950s albums that made his reputation. Rollins's playing never falters; he's backed by the redoubtable Max Roach on drums, Tommy Flanagan on piano, and Doug Watkins on bass. Rollins is equally at home with the lilting Caribbean air of "St. Thomas," standards ("You Don't Know What Love Is"), blues ("Strode Rode," featuring a driving Flanagan solo), and a smoldering version of Brecht-Weill's "Moritat" (better known as "Mac the Knife"). If you are new to jazz, there is no better place to start than Saxophone Colossus. --Steven Mirkin

Product Description

Japanese limited edition issue of the album classic in a deluxe, miniaturized LP sleeve replica of the original vinyl album artwork. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A jazz milestone...., May 20, 2001

By 

Jeffrey Harris (South San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saxophone Colossus (20 Bit Mastering) (Audio CD)

Without a doubt, one of the five best jazz albums ever made is this 1956 masterpiece. Recorded in a single day at Rudy Van Gelder's living room/studio, Sonny Rollins earned his place as a legend with "Saxophone Colossus". Aided and abetted by powerhouse drummer Max Roach, pianist Tommy Flanagan, and bassist Doug Watkins, the quartet plays with the precision of a chamber orchestra, and swings just as hard. It's not very often that you hear an album where the musicians are so in tune with each other. From the breezy sway of "St. Thomas" to the final notes of "Blue 7", Rollins and company shows how it should be done. This newly remastered edition finally sounds as great as the original vinyl pressing but without the hefty price you'll shuck out for an original copy. No serious jazz fan should be without a copy of this amazing album in their collection.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic!, August 9, 2000

By 

"jazzfanmn" (St Cloud, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saxophone Colossus (Audio CD)

Sonny Rollins solidified his claim to the top tenor spot of the late 1950's with albums like, "Way Out West" and this one. His tone is warm, full, and flawless as he swings his way through this set with Max Roach on drums, Tommy Flanagan on piano, and Doug Watkins on bass. The calypso flavored "St Thomas" opens the disc and is a textbook example of what makes Rollins great. His playing is effortless, relaxed, and flawless. He displays a soft touch with sensetive interpretation of the standard "You Don't Know What Love Is", and kicks it back into high gear with the hard charging uptempo "Strode Rode". He displays his talent for uncovering unconventional material with a selection from a German musical here titled "Moritat". The final track is the jazz masterpiece "Blue7". Featuring masterful solos by Roach and Rollins this track leaves one feeling Sonny is cooler than most people could hope to be. Saxophone Colossus is one of those rare albums that is packed with legendary performances and future standards, flawless from top to bottom. This cd is essential and is guaranteed to delight.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest albums in jazz, April 18, 2005

By 

Eric Perry - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Saxophone Colossus (Audio CD)

Though, in my opinion, this is not Sonny's greatest recording, it is perhaps his most influencial and definatly his greatest herald, listed often as one of the 10 greatest albums of jazz. I've read some reviews claiming that other sax players far surpass Sonny's skill, names like Stan Getz and Trane. However, once you listen to this album you'll see why Sonny is called by almost all music critics as the greatest improviser on any instrument in any style of all time, he was actually voted almost unanimously to this title by Down Beat, Jazziz, and Jazz Times in the 90s, as well as perhaps jazz's greatest virtuoso. Not simply for his raw technical ability or immense understanding of harmony and melody, but his flawless ability to make even the most dense and esoteric music seem ever so familiar and listenable in any context. Blue 7 is a monumental example of Sonny's skill, many people don't know that the 'melody' is completly improvised, and though it may not seem, it is a forward look at just how far Sonny will play outside the changes. This is a great starting point for those who want to here the master of melodic improvisation and I highly recommend listening to The Bridge and On Impulse after this record as well.