Wilbur Harden has been somewhat of a jazz mystery, appearing on a handful of dates and then suddenly disappearing for good after falling ill not long after the 1958 sessions featured on this reissue. After these recordings of
Harden's works were issued in various forms on LP, including on some occasions with
John Coltrane receiving top or sole billing, all of the music recorded by this overlooked trumpeter and flügelhornist with the legendary tenor saxophonist has finally become available in one complete two-CD set. The always dependable
Tommy Flanagan is the pianist on two of the three sessions. Although
Harden is a competent player, his compositions aren't particularly memorable, although they are enjoyable; the primary reason people have sought this music is to plug a gap in their
John Coltrane collections. Highlights include the loping "Wells Fargo," the exotic "E.F.F.P.H.," and the strutting "Anedac," which substitutes Howard Williams for
Flanagan and adds trombonist
Curtis Fuller to the mix. The consistently strong playing of
John Coltrane is what makes this set worth acquiring. ~ Ken Dryden