Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus / The Sound of Sonny / Way Out West / Newk's Time (2-CD)

The great Sonny Rollins, born in New York on September 7, 1930 (he is 88 at this writing) was one of the best modern tenor saxophonists of jazz history. Presented are four of his most iconic albums, all of which feature him as the only horn in trio or quartet formats: Saxophone Colossus , The Sound of Sonny , Way Out West , and Newk's Time. Among the many highlights are Rollins' first version of his classic composition Saint Thomas, his amazing reading of Kurt Weill's Moritat (also known as Mack the Knife), and his unaccompanied sax version of It Could Happen to You. *****DOWN BEAT: Saxophone Colossus: I find this entire album excellent on all counts and for all persons concerned (the recorded sound is a gas, by the way). (Ralph J. Gleason) *****1/2 ALL MUSIC: The Sound of Sonny: A newfound freedom can be heard throughout the innovations on The Sound of Sonny. (Lindsay Planer) *****DOWN BEAT: Way Out West: This album offers an unequalled opportunity on record to hear Rollins' tenor almost isolated from any other instrument. (Ralph J. Gleason) ****ALL MUSIC: Newk's Time: A must for fans of this most important of classic hard bop soloists. (Stephen Cook)