John Coltrane - Coltrane (Prestige)

 

For sale individually and as part of Analogue Productions’ Prestige Mono Series

Cut from the analogue masters by renowned mastering engineer Kevin Gray

180-gram pressing by Quality Record Pressings

Deluxe high-gloss tip-on album jacket

"...they attempt to be as faithful to the original LPs as possible. They are remastered from the original mono or stereo tapes, come in authentic glossy 'tip-on' jackets, retain the flat edge of original pressings ... What they don't have is the cost of original pressings. So many of the titles in the series fall into the several-hundred-dollar range in near-mint condition, a few topping out in the thousands, making the $30 price of each Analogue Productions LP seem like a bargain if they deliver sonically, which they do in abundance. ... both (this title andColtrane were pressed at Quality Record Pressings (QRP) and continue the excellence for which this newest pressing plant has become known: nonexistent surface and groove noise and the sharp delineation of musical detail. — Music = 4.5/5; Sound = 4.5/5 — Marc Mickelson, The Audio Beat, Feb. 12, 2013.

"Another fine-sounding Prestige mono, Coltrane crackles with spontaneous intensity. Al Heath's drum triplets spark "Bakai," as Coltrane's throaty tenor introduces the repetitive, Arabic-influenced theme. "Violets For Your Furs" is sort of precursor to Coltrane's fine Ballads album (1963), whlle a string of mostly up-tempo tunes follow." Sonics = 4/5; Music = 3.5/5 — Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, January 2013

"Kevin Gray's mastering is superb. This first effort makes my mouth water for a few of the truly rare titles in the series that have always eluded my reach and my grasp as a collector. I've owned original yellow label originals and later blue label versions of this album and the fabulous sound of this new version should make any jazz enthusiast ecstatic." Recording = 9.5/10; Music = 9.5/10 — Dennis D. Davis, Hi-Fi +, Issue 91

John Coltrane, is in a sense, as Ira Gitler wrote in the liner notes to Coltrane’s 1957 self-titled album — featuring his first session as a band leader — a new star, "but he has not arrived through high-pressure press agentry. He has been building on more solid ground."

From the time of his joining the Miles Davis quintet in late 1955 through to his brilliant work with Thelonious Monk at the Five Spot Cafe in the summer of 1957, Coltrane steadily increased his accomplishments on his instrument and gained new admirers for his playing among his fellow musicians and the serious listening public. For this date Coltrane chose his musicians, he contributed several compositions and he also wrote some of the arrangements.

"Bakai" (meaning "cry" in Arabic), by Cal Massey, opens side one. Its handsome minor theme is expounded by pianist Red Garland, Coltrane (who’s horn really cries), and baritone saxophonist Sahib Shihab. The rest of side one is handled by the quartet featuring Coltrane and Garland. Two ballad standards, "Violet for Your Furs," and "Time Was," are the subjects; the former receives a sensitive ballad treatment while the latter is done in bright medium time.

Side two opens on "Straight Street," a Coltrane composition and arrangement featuring solos by Coltrane, trumpeter Johnnie Splawn and pianist Mal Waldron. An interestingly different Coltrane interpretation of the seldom-done "While My Lady Sleeps" is Coltrane’s alone until Splawn joins him for a final errie note. Coltrane’s "Chronic Blues" is the closer and gives all the horns and Waldron solo room.

 

 

 

Originally released in 1957

John Coltrane, tenor saxophone
John Splawn, trumpet
Sahib Shihab, baritone saxophone
Mal Waldron, pianist
Red Garland, pianist
Paul Chambers, bass
Al Heath, drums 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Bakai

2. Violets For Your Furs

3. Time Was

4. Straight Street

5. While My Lady Sleeps

6. Chronic Blues

Customer Reviews (4.71 Stars) 7 person(s) rated this product.

LOVED IT posted on 08/24/2022 5 Stars The Sax is right here in my room. Drums, piano, bass all so clear. Great Quality all around

Really beautiful posted on 05/22/2022 5 Stars The sound of this release is really great, just as great as all the other releases on this series. For some reason, I haven't seen anybody mentioning a couple of glitches in this release. More noticeable, some kind of drop-out in B1 and clipping in B2. These are actually not a big deal, not distracting at all. I checked the SACD version and those glitches are also there, so I assume they came from the master tape. Anyways, fantastic job AP. My copy was otherwise flawless.

Awesome sound! posted on 03/25/2013 5 Stars Reviewer: Mike I have never heard this one before from 'Trane, but , in my system it had plenty of high-end.. very clean and spacious!! I really felt like I was in the recording studio with the players!! A very unique album, one of his earlier efforts that I had never heard before.. As always, QRP's pressing rocks!! Very quiet and in only one instance is there a touch of clipping (probably from the master tape) !! Great sounding album!

Overly dark posted on 11/29/2012 3 Stars While the pressing was quiet, I question the mastering. The presentation is overly warm and dark (no upper frequencies or sense of air).

Fantastic pressing posted on 11/24/2012 5 Stars Another stellar pressing and great sounding release from QRP. Very satisfied with this purchase. One of the quietest vinyl records in my 900+ collection.

Must own LP. posted on 09/16/2012 5 Stars Reviewer: Scott I'm in for all of these mono Prestige reissues based on this one. The sound is amazing and the cover is beautiful. Chad and his crew deserve a job well done for bringing us these Prestige mono releases.

Well worth the wait posted on 07/21/2012 5 Stars Reviewer: Scott (Seattle) As an early subscriber to the Presitge reissues I must say that the frustrating wait has paid off in spades. As I placed the needle on the flat edge pressing of "Coltrane" I was enveloped in a warmth that I can only describe as astounding. The exceptionally quiet pressing gives you a feeling of what it must have been like to sit in Rudy Van Gelder's N.J. studio as the tape was rolling. The obvious attention to period detail is evident in every aspect of the reissue. The "tip-on" cover graphics, the "deep groove" labels and the flat edge pressings are incredible. I have purchased other Quality Record pressings and can say—without a doubt—that they are deserving of being placed in the lofty company of Pallas Germay as a preeminent manufacturer.

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