Trane: The Atlantic Collection [LP]

by John Coltrane

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	06/09/2017
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0081227940683
Rank:	33055

Tracks

1. My Favorite Things, Pt. 1 [Single Version]
2. Like Sonny
3. Cousin Mary
4. Giant Steps
5. Central Park West
6. Equinox
7. Naima
8. My Shining Hour
9. Mr. Syms

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Coltrane   Primary Artist,Vocals,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
Elvin Jones   Drums
Jimmy Cobb   Drums
Art Taylor   Drums
Tommy Flanagan   Piano
Wynton Kelly   Piano
Paul Chambers   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
McCoy Tyner   Piano
Steve Davis   Bass,Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Harold Arlen   Composer
Neil Tesser   Composer
John Coltrane   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Phil Iehle   Engineer
Nesuhi Ertegun   Producer
Ben Ratliff   Liner Notes
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer,Lyricist
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Jason Reynolds   Compilation Producer
Reggie Collins   Project Assistant
Tom Dowd   Engineer
Steven Gorman   Project Assistant
Shannon Ward   Project Assistant
Florence Halfon   A&R
Kate Dear   Project Assistant
Rory Wilson   Art Direction
John Webber   Mastering