Saxophone Colossus

Sonny Rollins might not have chased the same blazing intensity as John Coltrane or the constant reinvention of Miles Davis, but that is exactly part of what makes him such a rewarding listen. His rich, rounded tone and deeply melodic approach made him one of the most accessible voices to emerge from postbop.

Saxophone Colossus stands as the key late-1950s release that helped cement Rollins's reputation, and it still sounds every bit as assured. His playing is strong from start to finish, with brilliant support from Max Roach on drums, Tommy Flanagan on piano, and Doug Watkins on bass.

What makes this record such a lasting favourite is the way Rollins moves so naturally across different moods and styles. There is the lilting Caribbean feel of St. Thomas, the elegance of standards like You Don't Know What Love Is, the blues drive of Strode Rode with a standout solo from Tommy Flanagan, and a smouldering take on Brecht-Weill's Moritat, better known as Mack the Knife.