John Coltrane: Ole Coltrane – The Complete Session (180g, Colored Vinyl) Vinyl LP John Coltrane

Final studio album for Atlantic from jazz legend John Coltrane. Olé Coltrane was originally recorded in 1961 after Coltrane had 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 ‘complete session’ also includes rare bonus cut “To Her Ladyship” from the same session. 180 gram yellow colored vinyl with original liner notes.

• 180g yellow colored vinyl
• includes rare bonus track ‘To Her Ladyship’ taken from the original recording session
• limited edition
• 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: WaxTime 2019

reviewed by Cool Hand 06/2017