[carusoracer]

I'm looking for the best recording of Saxophone Colossus. Prestige released the Rudy Van Gelder Remaster series. I only read from Amazon a complaint about the 4th track. Otherwise is this the best one out there?

Also anyone else have any other recordings from the Rudy Van Gelder Remaster Series? Eric Dolphy/Out There

Thanks

[R_burke]

I have several of the RVG Remaster series and like them very much, but IMO there are better releases available. Of course they are more expensive and harder to find.

I feel that the Analogue Productions Hybrid SACD is better than the RVG remaster of Saxophone Colussus, and the Contemporary Records 20 Bit K2 recording of Way out West is really good.  There is also an Analogue Productions Hybrid SACD version of Way out West, but I haven't heard that one.

[carusoracer]

I have several of the RVG Remaster series and like them very much, but IMO there are better releases available. Of course they are more expensive and harder to find.

I feel that the Analogue Productions Hybrid SACD is better than the RVG remaster of Saxophone Colussus, and the Contemporary Records 20 Bit K2 recording of Way out West is really good.  There is also an Analogue Productions Hybrid SACD version of Way out West, but I haven't heard that one.

Thanks for the reply. Where can you get the best price of Analogue Productions SACD?

[R_burke]

I have several of the RVG Remaster series and like them very much, but IMO there are better releases available. Of course they are more expensive and harder to find.

I feel that the Analogue Productions Hybrid SACD is better than the RVG remaster of Saxophone Colussus, and the Contemporary Records 20 Bit K2 recording of Way out West is really good.  There is also an Analogue Productions Hybrid SACD version of Way out West, but I haven't heard that one.

Thanks for the reply. Where can you get the best price of Analogue Productions SACD?

I usually get my more expensive CDs from used stores, there are several around where I live (SF Bay Area), but I'm cheap    You can find them on Amazon or go direct to Analogue Productions

[Wally King]

I was disappointed in the new RVG remaster of "Saxophone Colossus." It has a hard edge to it, and that's with a tube CD player, tube preamp and hybrid power amp. But on the other hand I haven't heard a better version on CD. It's a classic album, however, so I may need to check out the Analogue Productions' version.

For an example of how remastering of 50's jazz performances should be done, I second the recommendation of the Contemporary Records 20-Bit K2 remaster of Rollins' "Way out West." That one sounds like it was recorded yesterday, and that may be simply because the original recording is far superior to the original of "Saxophone Colossus." Of course, "Way Out West" is another classic performance by Rollins. The way he deconstructs a goofy song like "I'm an Old Cowhand" is a wonder to behold.

[carusoracer]

I was disappointed in the new RVG remaster of "Saxophone Colossus." It has a hard edge to it, and that's with a tube CD player, tube preamp and hybrid power amp. But on the other hand I haven't heard a better version on CD. It's a classic album, however, so I may need to check out the Analogue Productions' version.

For an example of how remastering of 50's jazz performances should be done, I second the recommendation of the Contemporary Records 20-Bit K2 remaster of Rollins' "Way out West." That one sounds like it was recorded yesterday, and that may be simply because the original recording is far superior to the original of "Saxophone Colossus." Of course, "Way Out West" is another classic performance by Rollins. The way he deconstructs a goofy song like "I'm an Old Cowhand" is a wonder to behold.

Thanks all for the info!

Where is the best place to get the Cont. Records 20bit Way out West CD?

[PhilNYC]

I agree that the K2 remaster of Way Out West is really fantastic.  For Saxophone Collossus, I like the XRCD version...