A bluffer’s guide: Essential jazz albums
6. Saxophone Colossus (1956) – Sonny Rollins
No jazz collection is complete without some sax, and Sonny Rollins is a perfect place to start. 'Saxophone Colossus' is his finest entry into his boom period of the 50s, and considering that it was recorded over one day (June 22 1956), it holds up as being remarkably accomplished, squeezing plenty into its 40 minute running time.
The track 'Moritat' may be more familiar to some as 'Mack the Knife', which stands proudly alongside Sinatra and Bobby Darin's versions. The last track, a bluesy tune entitled 'Blue 7' is the most interesting (and longest) on the LP at 11-minutes. The tune was recorded spontaneously in the studio, affording the listener a unique insight into his improvisational techniques.
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