This is
John Coltrane from the period when he was a member of
Miles Davis' legendary 1950s quintet, accompanied by fellow quintet members
Red Garland and
Paul Chambers. This is
Coltrane in a relaxed bop mode, making some swinging, relaxed jazz in the vein of
Sonny Rollins and
Stan Getz (the latter in his more boppish mode). This is not the fire-breathing saxophonist of the mid-'60s, but a player who was beginning to push against the boundaries, all the while playing with thoughtful, imaginative lyricism. It's a set of little-known pop tunes of the era, with the exception of
Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae." Anyone who likes the mainstream jazz of the '50s, or
Miles' music of that time, or
Coltrane fans who want to hear their idol in an easygoing context, should pick this up.