The title is not modest. The playing justifies it.
Saxophone Colossus captures Sonny Rollins at a remarkable point in 1956, with Tommy Flanagan, Doug Watkins and Max Roach forming a quartet capable of following every rhythmic turn and melodic idea he throws at them.
“St. Thomas” alone is enough to make this essential, but “Blue 7” may tell you even more about Rollins: thematic improvisation, rhythmic invention and the sense that an entire solo can grow from the smallest musical fragment.
Rollins has a huge sound here, but what really stands out is the intelligence behind it.
He plays with motives, displaces phrases, leaves gaps and then lands emphatically back inside the rhythm. Max Roach is the ideal partner: constantly responsive and never merely keeping time.
The ballad “You Don’t Know What Love Is” provides the contrast, revealing just how lyrical Rollins could be when the volume drops.
New and sealed WaxTime vinyl edition.
180g 1LP pressing.
Catalogue: 771759
Barcode: 8436542010504
Carefully packed for dispatch using protective vinyl mailers.
Saxophone Colossus was recorded on 22 June 1956 at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Hackensack, New Jersey for Prestige Records.
The quartet is Sonny Rollins on tenor saxophone, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and Max Roach on drums.
This WaxTime edition was issued in 2012.
The title is not modest. The playing justifies it.
Saxophone Colossus captures Sonny Rollins at a remarkable point in 1956, with Tommy Flanagan, Doug Watkins and Max Roach forming a quartet capable of following every rhythmic turn and melodic idea he throws at them.
“St. Thomas” alone is enough to make this essential, but “Blue 7” may tell you even more about Rollins: thematic improvisation, rhythmic invention and the sense that an entire solo can grow from the smallest musical fragment.
Rollins has a huge sound here, but what really stands out is the intelligence behind it.
He plays with motives, displaces phrases, leaves gaps and then lands emphatically back inside the rhythm. Max Roach is the ideal partner: constantly responsive and never merely keeping time.
The ballad “You Don’t Know What Love Is” provides the contrast, revealing just how lyrical Rollins could be when the volume drops.
New and sealed WaxTime vinyl edition.
180g 1LP pressing.
Catalogue: 771759
Barcode: 8436542010504
Carefully packed for dispatch using protective vinyl mailers.
Saxophone Colossus was recorded on 22 June 1956 at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Hackensack, New Jersey for Prestige Records.
The quartet is Sonny Rollins on tenor saxophone, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and Max Roach on drums.
This WaxTime edition was issued in 2012.
