Sonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus (Mono)

“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. Read the whole review here.

“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.