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Saxophone Colossus (Reis) [Original recording remastered]

Sonny RollinsAudio CD
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (113 customer reviews)

Price: $8.84 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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 : Includes FREE MP3 version of this album.
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Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
MP3 Music, 5 Songs, 2008 $4.45  
Audio CD, Original recording remastered, 2006 $8.84  
Vinyl, Import, 2012 $24.28  
Audio Cassette, 1990 --  

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Biography

Always a restless creative spirit, a constantly self-renewing citizen of the jazz world and one of the music's leading lights, saxophone legend Sonny Rollins has long been ambivalent about, even averse to, the business side of music. However, since forming his own record label, Doxy, in 2005, Rollins has emerged as an inspired-and surprisingly assertive-entrepreneur.

Doxy's first ... Read more in Amazon's Sonny Rollins Store

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  • Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
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Frequently Bought Together

Saxophone Colossus (Reis) + A Love Supreme [Vinyl] + Kind of Blue
Price for all three: $31.81

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Product Details

  • Audio CD (March 21, 2006)
  • Original Release Date: 1956
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: Original recording remastered
  • Label: Prestige
  • ASIN: B000EGDAI4
  • Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (113 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,873 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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

Rollins broke out of his shell on this 1956 recording, which illustrates his considerable skills in composition, interpetation and improvisation.

Customer Reviews

Without a doubt, one of the five best jazz albums ever made is this 1956 masterpiece. Jeffrey Harris  |  40 reviewers made a similar statement
After listening to this cd, I am going to look for more of Sonny's albums to buy. Karen Anderson  |  26 reviewers made a similar statement
St. Thomas, Strode Rode and Blue 7 all are classics in their own right. MttC  |  19 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
83 of 88 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A jazz milestone.... May 20, 2001
Format: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.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great company November 10, 2006
Format:Audio CD
Having never heard of Analog productions before I was a bit reluctant to spend almost $30 for this hybrid SACD, but decided to try it out. This is the most impressed I have been by a Super Audio CD since "Kind of Blue". Very good presence and none of the stridence which can interfere with my enjoyment of tenor sax at times. Analogue productions has very high production values indeed. They claim on the label that the high quality of the sound is due to their proprietary all-tube tape mastering equipment with the latest DSD transfer technology. I will buy more SACD's from them starting with another Sonny - "Way Out West". I may buy their whole catalog :-).
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30 of 34 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant album--problem w/RVG though September 20, 2006
Format:Audio CD
The brilliance of this album has been stated many times by people with more jazz knowledge than me. However I thought I should echo what the other reviewer states here: there are some minor problems with this disc. Specifically, there is a flutter on the 4th track "Moritat." I thought I heard it 3-4 different times. It doesn't ruin the music, but you might be tempted to return the disc. The RVG series is stellar so I'm assuming it's a problem with the masters. If that's not the problem then it may be in the manufacturing. Mildly disappointing...

I would like to put in a quick mention of the genius of Max Roach. His technique on the ride cymbal is revolutionary. I could write an essay on it myself! All in all, this is one of my all-time favorite jazz albums.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Sonny....what else do you need to know?
Go buy this cd/mp3 if you love tenor sax, and want to hear one of the great greats! Buy it now! What are you waiting for???
Published 1 month ago by Charles Swanson
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Sonny Rollins, one of the best sax players ever, but at times underrated. This albun is a powerhouse. Excellent song selections and delivery. Read more
Published 2 months ago by abelardo hernandez
4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect
The only issue I have with this product was that the cd case was damaged, but the cd itself was in perfect condition. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Daniel Sanches
5.0 out of 5 stars YES!
Whether you're a jazz lover or not, just buy this album. It's amazing. I only own a hand few of Jazz albums, I am just getting started in this genre. GREAT BUY! GREAT MUSIC.
Published 3 months ago by Ryan Macchione
4.0 out of 5 stars Sonny and Max burn!!
Excellent classic performance by one of the best sax players ever. And Max Roach is simply the killer jazz drummer of all time. Read more
Published 4 months ago by al
5.0 out of 5 stars ¡Excelente!
Una grabación clásica con un sonido excelente y de alta calidad. Sonny Rollins es sencillo y memorable. Un jazz para disfrutar con tranquilidad.
Published 5 months ago by aro
5.0 out of 5 stars Epitome of Jazz
I took a History of Jazz course and my professor recommended this album. He said something along the lines of, "This album is a must-have, even for non-fans of jazz. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mo0m0oSaZn
5.0 out of 5 stars Plain powerful
Just plain powerful and masterful by the legendary saxophonist. Every serious saxophonist should have this in their collection!!! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Utah Witherspoon
5.0 out of 5 stars He's my master Yoda of jazz
Did you realize that I bought a lot of this artist? I love Sonny because he put the jazz on my map. All this prestige edition have a perfect jazz sound!
Published 5 months ago by miloslau
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece (which followed a masterpiece)
Recorded the same year as his earllier Masterpiece, Tenor Madness, Rollins hits another one out of the park with this album. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mike Tarrani
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