John Coltrane: Ole Coltrane (Audiophile 45rpm 180g) Vinyl 2LP John Coltrane

Definitive audiophile pressing! Ole Coltrane was originally recorded in 1961 after John Coltrane made his first record for his new label, Impulse! Records. There was one more album remaining on his contract with Atlantic, so he brought his quintet along with Art Davis and Freddie Hubbard to A&R Studios. The resulting recordings showed Trane transitioning from his early, more accessible material to the challenging, expansive music he would record later in his career. Everything is stretched out, the solos are long and the songs themselves are extended about as far as possible. The double bass work of Art Davis and Reggie Workman propels the music forward, seemingly forcing Coltrane to up his own game. And after the epicness of “Ole” and the free flowing blues of “Dahomey Dance,” we’re left with the sensuous “Aisha.” It’s a cut that makes you wonder why Coltrane did not record more of McCoy Tyner’s compositions. This audiophile edition is the last pressing of Ole you’ll ever want to own – remastered from the original tapes and spread across two 180g LPs (the title track is split up onto two sides), housed in tip-on sleeve. Recommended.

• remastered from original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman
• 45rpm stereo pressing
• 180g audiophile-grade double vinyl pressing
• old school style tip-on gatefold sleeve
• extensive album notes by Ralph Gleason
• featuring John Coltrane (t. sax, s. sax), Eric Dolphy (a. sax, flute), Freddie Hubbard (t), McCoy Tyner (p), Reggie Workman (b), Art Davis (b), Elvin Jones (d)
• music label: ORG Music 2013

reviewed by Cool Hand 06/2017