Saxophone Colossus (Prestige, 1956)
“St. Thomas” was the “hit,” but “Blue 7” is the masterpiece. If you must pick only one, this is it.
Way Out West (Contemporary, 1957)
The Claxton cover is priceless, and Rollins tears up these “Western” songs.
A Night at the Village Vanguard, Vol. 1-4 (Blue Note, 1957)
The template for pianoless trios is forged on these stunning performances.
Freedom Suite (Riverside, 1958)
The 19-minute, socially relevant title track was way ahead of its time.
The Bridge (RCA/Bluebird, 1962)
After dropping out and blowing alone on NYC’s Williamsburg Bridge, Rollins returns with guitarist Jim Hall.
East Broadway Run Down (Impulse, 1966)
Tour de force with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and Coltrane sidemen.
Best of the Rest
Tenor Madness (Prestige, 1956)
Miles’ rhythm section and a joust with Coltrane. 
Volume 2 (Blue Note, 1957)
“Wail March”! Horace Silver and Thelonious Monk play on two Monk
compositions.
Our Man in Jazz (RCA/Bluebird, 1962)
Rollins, trumpeter Don Cherry, and drummer Billy Higgins really stretch out.
Sonny Meets Hawk! (RCA/Bluebird, 1963)
Rollins and his idol Coleman Hawkins on this symbolic passing of the torch.
Next Album (Milestone, 1972)
Another return from hiatus, with a brilliant solo on “Skylark.”
G-Man (Milestone, 1986)
Live soundtrack to the film Saxophone Colossus.
Global Warming (Milestone, 1998)
“Freedom Suite” 1998.
Road Shows, Vol. 1 (Emarcy, 2008)
Choice live performances 1980-2007.
This article appears in May 1 • 2009.