While there have been several
John Coltrane Atlantic years compilations, the 2017 single-disc anthology
Trane: The Atlantic Collection is one of the most concise and useful introductions to the legendary saxophonist. Focusing on the years 1959 to 1961,
Trane: The Atlantic Collection offers up a thumbnail sketch of
Coltrane just as he entered the first truly individualistic stage of his career. Previously, he had primarily made his mark as a sideman with trumpeter
Miles Davis, with whom he had just recorded the landmark
Kind of Blue, when he signed with Atlantic. Backed by a formidable cadre of musicians, at times including pianist
McCoy Tyner, bassist
Steve Davis, and drummer
Elvin Jones,
Coltrane embarked on a creatively fruitful period in which he recorded some of his most influential original pieces, including the innovative "Giant Steps," the sun-dappled ballad "Naima," and the groove-oriented "Cousin Mary." It was also dichotomously the time in which he scored one of his biggest hits with his entrancing soprano sax-led reading of "My Favorite Things," included here in its condensed 45-rpm version. We also get his expansive, bluesy, early attempt at spiritual jazz "Equinox" and musically thematic follow-up to "Giant Steps," the languid "Central Park West." Also useful are writer Ben Ratliff's insightful liner notes, which help frame the moment and put
Coltrane's Atlantic years in context to what came before and after. Ultimately, while there are certainly more extensive
Coltrane sets (
The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings comes to mind),
Trane: The Atlantic Collection is a welcome primer highlighting one of the saxophonist's most compelling periods. ~ Matt Collar