Here’s one reason to pick up this new two LP expanded reissue of Sonny Rollins’ 1957 classic: The next time someone brings up the tired, old question of whether vinyl records really sound better than CDs, you’ll have the answer on hand. All of the arguments that vinyl-philes fall back on—it sounds warmer, there is greater presence, you feel like you’re right in the studio with the musicians— immediately prove true as soon as “I’m an Old Cowhand” starts spinning. Shortly into the Johnny Mercer classic, bassist Ray Brown takes his first solo and you might as well be sitting next to him. Ditto for Shelly Manne’s drums—crisp, close and enveloping. And, of course, Rollins himself, a year removed from his breakthrough Saxophone Colossus , quickly establishes himself as one of the all-time innovators on his instrument. That’s the second reason: Because six decades down the line, this recording, six tracks of jazz perfection, remains as thrilling and fulfilling as it did when it was new. Rollins is at the peak of his creative power and, whether blowing on one of his own compositions (the closing title track is stellar) or a standard (“There Is No Greater Love”), he rides atop the pianoless rhythm section as if he owns the world. Reason three is LP two: alternate takes of four tunes that appeared on the official release (among them are two different versions of the title track). If only for the double-length, previously unreleased exploration of the Mercer tune, this is one set of bonus tracks worth owning. It’s a beautiful package in every way.