Sonny Rollins Way Out West

Sonny Rollins Way Out West on UHQR 200g 45RPM Clarity Vinyl 2LP from Analogue Productions: Mastered Directly from the Original Master Tape by Bernie Grundman, Pressed at QRP, and Limited to 2,750 Copies

Dive into the timeless brilliance of Sonny Rollins' legendary album Way Out West like never before with the Analogue Productions UHQR edition. Pressed at Quality Record Pressings and mastered by Bernie Grundman, this definitive audiophile version stands as a testament to one of jazz's most formidable talents. Way Out West, his classic 1957 album, received 5 Stars from Rolling Stone's prestigious Jazz Record Guide and has prompted Pitchfork to deem it, "an album that looks like a novelty and sounds like transcendence."

How Way Out West shaped jazz:

• Masterful Trio: The album's infamous 3 a.m. recording sessions featured Rollins' sax strolling over the contributions of onetime Ella Fitzgerald bassist Ray Brown and iconic West Coast Jazz drummer Shelly Manne, neither of whom Rollins had ever played with. An open setting gives Rollins space to be harmonically inventive. Rollins' saxophone mastery shines brightly on every track.

• Musical innovation: From the swinging "I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)," written by Johnny Mercer and made famous by Bing Crosby — skillfully mixing country and jazz, to the haunting Rollins' original composition and title track "Way Out West," the album redefines jazz improvisation.

• Frequently included in "Best Saxophone Albums" and "Best Jazz Trios" lists. AllMusic rates it 5/5 Stars. Sonny Rollins' groundbreaking album is a cornerstone of jazz history.