Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus

For sale individually and as part of Analogue Productions’ Prestige Mono Series

Cut from the analogue masters by renowned mastering engineer Kevin Gray

180-gram pressing by Quality Record Pressings

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. 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.

1. Strode Rode

2. Blue 7

3. Moritat

4. St. Thomas

5. You Don't Know What Love Is

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 12 person(s) rated this product.

Amazing posted on 06/24/2022 5 Stars Reviewer: FN Wow. Hats off to the AS team for this pressing...

A powerhouse of a record posted on 06/20/2022 5 Stars Reviewer: Michel How come this is still for sale? A quality this spectacular has to be sold out within a minute. To everybody who hasn’t got one: get 9ne now! This is your chance. Its definitely worth it. This goes for the whole Prestige series!

Holy Crap! posted on 04/26/2022 5 Stars Reviewer: Greg This is incredible fidelity. Ranks alongside my MOFI Dire Straits, Random Access Memories, Graceland, Analogue Production's L.A. Woman and Dusty in Memphis... Played on Technics SL-1500C through a pair of Klipsch Fives. This album actually upgrades my system, not the other way around as with most of my vinyl.

Another knockout posted on 04/05/2022 5 Stars Reviewer: E Every release from this series, Mono or Stereo is awesome. Don't hesitate.

Colossal! posted on 05/30/2015 5 Stars Reviewer: Emmanuel Why anyone will drop Large$$$ on an original now I don't know

Absolutely fabulous! posted on 09/13/2014 5 Stars Reviewer: Evan This album is making me fall in love with my system all over again. Brilliant material, masterfully presented.

Doesn't get any Better! posted on 03/26/2013 5 Stars Reviewer: SS You probably know this album so you might be wondering how this pressing sounds. Excellent! I've never owned the mono release and it swings. The QRP pressing that I received is flawless and as with all the other Prestige mono releases that I have bought the album cover is beautiful and the record sounds terrific. Thirty dollars is a bargain for such a first class release.

Sounds so LIVE!! posted on 03/23/2013 5 Stars Reviewer: Mike This is the best sounding version of this that i own, having not heard the 45 RPM, of course. I can only explain how wonderful this sounds...it is like Sonny and crew with you in your room!! That good.. these new re-issue's rock!! Buy it!! The vinyl is dead quiet and no cracks or pops!!! QRP rocks the house!!!!

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