City Newspaper Archives - 11/2007
John Coltrane "Interplay"
Prestige
Published by Ron Netsky on Nov 14, 2007
Before he was widely recognized as the greatest jazz saxophonist ever, John Coltrane was a side-man. Prestige has released a five-CD set covering nine albums on which the future giant was either a supporting player or co-leader. "Interplay" is apt name for this set; during this period Coltrane dueled with Hank Mobley, Zoot Sims, Pepper Adams, Al Cohn, Frank Wess, Cecil Payne, Paul Quinichette, Jackie McLean, and Bobby Jaspar. And those are just the saxophonists. Other greats here include Tommy Flanagan, Red Garland, Mal Waldron, Webster Young, Idrees Sulieman, Art Taylor, and Jimmy Cobb. It's fascinating to listen to sessions in the proper sequence. Between September 1956 and March 1958, the music moves from a swing-influenced style to the hard bop sophistication that Coltrane would rule over for much of the next decade. There is no shortage of gems here, including one of the most gorgeous collaborations ever recorded, Coltrane and guitarist Kenny Burrell's duo on "Why Was I Born."
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