1959 saw Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and the other members of Miles's sextet come together to record the bestselling jazz album of all time: Kind of Blue. 3 Shades of Blue follows the paths of Miles, Coltrane and Evans to the mountaintop of 1959 and their roads on from there. It's a book about music and business, race and heroin, and an astonishing meditation on creativity and the strange hothouses that can produce its full flowering.

But above all this is the story of three very different men - their struggles, their choices, their inspiration. The tapestry of their lives is, in James Kaplan's hands, an American Odyssey.

Blue Train was recorded September 15, 1957, in Hackensack, New Jersey. The personnel include Coltrane's Miles Davis bandmates, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums - both of whom had worked before with pianist Kenny Drew - and trumpeter Lee Morgan and trombonist Curtis Fuller, who were then up-and-coming jazz musicians and would go on to join Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

TRACK LISTING

Blue Train
Moment's Notice
Locomotion
I'm Old Fashioned
Lazy Bird

This original three-track set questioned all sorts of norms, the standout item “Chasin’ The Trane” lasting 16 minutes with the tenor man the only soloist and a 12-bar grid the only thing for performers and fans to hold on to. “Spiritual”’ was the first time Trane opened and closed a piece entirely out-of-tempo, while the conventional “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise” began with over three minutes of just the rhythm trio before his soprano solo. Bonus track on this LP “Blue Train” recorded in Sweden. Not merely the first live John Coltrane to be issued, but a turning-point for him and essential listening for us.

TRACK LISTING

1. Spiritual
2. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
3. Chasin ‘The Trane
4. Blue Train (Recorded Live, Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden, November 23, 1961)

Contains new specially prepared liner notes by Penguin Guide to Jazz 's writer Brian Morton.

In 1960, and after recording the music to be issued on The Avant Garde (with Don Cherry), and the all- time classic My Favorite Things , Coltrane embarked on the making of Coltrane Plays the Blues, a thematic LP consisting of six tunes based on the blues.

'Blues for Bechet', one of the two tracks on which Coltrane plays soprano sax, is an obvious dedication to the man who brought the instrument to jazz, the great Sidney Bechet. Pianist McCoy Tyner sits out on 'Blues to Bechet ' and 'Blues to You', reducing the quartet to a trio on these two tracks.

"A powerful session. As for the phrase 'plays the blues' in the title, that's not an indicator that the tunes are conventional blues (they aren't). It's more indicative of a bluesy sensibility." - AllMusic, 4.5 STARS (Richie Unterberger)

TRACK LISTING

Blues To Elvin
Blues To Bechet
Blues To You
Blues To Elvin
Mr. Day
Mr. Syms
Mr. Knight
Blues To You

Introducing John Coltrane 'Now Playing' on Translucent Blue Vinyl - Uncover the brilliance of jazz legend John Coltrane through a tracklist uncovering rich gems, such as the iconic "Giant Steps", the soulful "Naima," demonstrating Coltrane's virtuosity and innovation, the enchanting melodies of "My Favorite Things, Pt. 1" and the tender ballad "I'll Wait and Pray" as the perfect start or continuation of your musical journey.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. Giant Steps [4:48]
2. Cousin Mary [5:50]
3. Naima [4:25]
4. Village Blues [5:23]

Side B
1. I’ll Wait And Pray [3:35]
2. My Favorite Things, Pt. 1 (Single Version) [2:47]
3. Everytime We Say Goodbye [5:45]
4. Central Park West [4:15]
5. Body And Soul [5:41]

The seminal recordings that make up Lush Life were taped during a transitional period in John Coltrane's musical career. He had first joined the Miles Davis Quintet in 1955 and would form his own celebrated quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones in 1960. In the intervening years, he overcame his narcotics addiction and began to expand on his own musical ideas while experimenting with both the Thelonious Monk Quartet and the Miles Davis Sextet (featuring Bill Evans and Cannonball Adderley). Lush Life was constructed with material from three different sessions, all of which produced additional material issued in other albums. While Side A is in trio format with no piano, Side B features a quintet showcasing Donald Byrd and Red Garland.

Contains new specially prepared liner notes by Penguin Guide to Jazz's writer Brian Morton and by Paris' prestigious Jazz Magazine.

"All aspects of Coltrane's conception during this period are well-illustrated on the album: the classic simplicity and haunting loveliness of the Coltrane ballad technique is here. For sheer beauty of approach and execution, his work has rarely been equalled." - ***** Franz Kofsky, DownBeat

TRACK LISTING

1. Like Someone In Love
2. I Love You
3. Trane's Slow Blues
4. Slowtrane
5. Lush Life
6. I Hear A Rhapsody
7. While My Lady Sleeps

Coltrane's sessions for Atlantic in late October 1960 were prolific, yielding the material for 'My Favorite Things', 'Coltrane Plays the Blues', and 'Coltrane's Sound'. 'My Favorite Things' was destined to be the most remembered and influential of these, and while Coltrane Plays the Blues is not as renowned or daring in material, it is still a powerful session.

As for the phrase "plays the blues" in the title, it's not so much an indicator that the tunes are conventional blues, but more indicative of a bluesy sensibility.

TRACK LISTING

1. Blues To Elvin
2. Blues To Bechet
3. Blues To You
4. Blues To Elvin [Alternative Take]
5. Mr. Day
6. Mr. Syms
7. Mr. Knight
8. Blues To You [Alternative Take]

Presented here in its entirety, the celebrated 1962 LP 'Ballads' album (Impulse AS-32) was the last word in John Coltrane's ballad playing and became an instant hit. One of the most revolutionary saxophonists in jazz history, Coltrane was also a superb ballad player, capable of creating a very personal and intimate sound. This album features the leader backed by the members of his classic quartet: McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones.

TRACK LISTING

1. Say It (Over And Over Again)
2. You Don't Know What Love Is
3. Too Young
4. To Go Steady
5. All Or Nothing At All
6. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
7. I Wish I Knew / What's New?
8. It's Easy To Remember
9. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)
10. Greensleeves
11. Naima

In August of 1961, the John Coltrane Quintet played an engagement at the legendary Village Gate in Greenwich Village, New York. Coltrane’s Classic Quartet was not as fully established as it would soon become and there was a meteoric fifth member of Coltrane’s group those nights— visionary multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy. Ninety minutes of never-before-heard music from this group were recently discovered at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, offering a glimpse into a powerful musical partnership that ended much too soon.

In addition to some well-known Coltrane material (“My Favorite Things”, “Impressions”, “Greensleeves”), there is a breathtaking feature for Dolphy’s bass clarinet on “When Lights Are Low” and the only known non-studio recording of Coltrane’s composition “Africa”, from the Africa/Brass album. This recording represents a very special moment in John Coltrane's journey—the summer of 1961—when his signature, ecstatic live sound, commonly associated his Classic Quartet of '62 to '65, was first maturing and when he was drawing inspiration from deep, African sources— and experimenting with the two-bass idea both in the studio (Olé) and on stage. This truly rare recording of "Africa" captures his expansive vision at the time.

TRACK LISTING

My Favorite Things
When Lights Are Low
Impressions
Greensleeves
Africa

To mark the 65th anniversary of the album’s recording, Blue Train will be released in two special editions on September 16 as part of Blue Note’s acclaimed Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series.

A 1-LP mono pressing of the original album will be presented in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket, while the 2-LP stereo collection Blue Train: The Complete Masters will include a second disc featuring seven alternate and incomplete takes, none of which have been released previously on vinyl, and four of which have never been released before on any format. The Complete Masters comes with a booklet featuring never-before-seen session photos by Francis Wolff and an essay by Coltrane expert Ashley Kahn. Both Tone Poet Vinyl Editions were produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI.

Blue Train: The Complete Masters will also be released as a 2-CD set and digital collection.

“Few studio experiences I’ve had can compare with the thrill of listening to the original master tapes—mono, stereo and alternate takes—of Blue Train,” says Harley. “I consider these two new versions the definitive editions of this masterpiece performance by John Coltrane.”

TRACK LISTING

2CD
Blue Train
Moment’s Notice
Locomotion
I’m Old Fashioned
Lazy Bird
Blue Train (false Start)
Blue Train (take 7)
Moment’s Notice (alternate Take 4)
Lazy Bird (take 1)
Blue Train (alternate Take)
Moment’s Notice (incomplete Alternate Take 5A)
Lazy Bird (alternate Take)

1LP
LP 1 | Blue Train | Original Album | Studio
Side A
Blue Train
Moment’s Notice
Side B
Locomotion
I’m Old Fashioned
Lazy Bird

2LP
LP 1 | Blue Train | Original Album | Studio
Side A
Blue Train
Moment’s Notice
Side B
Locomotion
I’m Old Fashioned
Lazy Bird
LP 2 | Blue Train | Alternate And Incomplete Takes
Side A
Blue Train (false Start)
Blue Train (take 7)
Moment’s Notice (alternate Take 4)
Lazy Bird (take 1)
Side B
Blue Train (alternate Take)
Moment’s Notice (incomplete Alternate Take 5A)
Lazy Bird (alternate Take)

Easily one of the most important records ever made, this was Coltrane's pinnacle studio outing that spoke of his search for spiritual and musical freedom, as expressed through polyrhythms, modalities, and purely vertical forms. Recorded at Van Gelder Studios, it became an instant best-seller and received a Grammy nomination. It remains one of the greatest albums ever recorded, and in 2021 was certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of 1 million albums in the U.S. The achievement garners Coltrane his first-ever platinum record and is the first jazz album of the 1960s to receive platinum status, underscoring its enduring legacy and importance.

'Live' at the Village Vanguard (Impulse! AS-10), was Coltrane’s first official ‘live’ album. Coltrane is joined here on two tunes by Eric Dolphy on bass clarinet, plus McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums, and Reggie Workman and Jimmy Garrison alternating on bass. Garrison’s presence on this album makes this the first recording by what came to be known as Coltrane’s ‘Classic Quartet’. Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, New York, November 2 & 3, 1961.

Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from the original analog tapes mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at QPR. The series is supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, and releases are presented in deluxe gatefold tip-on packaging.

TRACK LISTING

Spiritual [13:48] (Side A)
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise [6:33] (Side A)
Chasin’ The Trane [16:07] (Side B)

Impulse! dig up a never-before-heard live recording from a private collection featuring Coltrane’s Classic Quartet augmented by Pharoah Sanders amongst others. This is one of only three known concert performances of the most iconic suite in jazz.
Recorded in late 1965 on the culminating evening of a historic week-long run at The Penthouse in Seattle, A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle is a musical revelation of historic importance, capturing Coltrane as he began to expand his classic quartet—adding Pharoah Sanders on second saxophone and Donald Garrett on second bass—and catapulting him into the intense, spiritually focused final phase of his career.

TRACK LISTING

1. A Love Supreme Pt. I – Acknowledgement
2. Interlude 1
3. A Love Supreme Pt. II – Resolution
4. Interlude 2
5. A Love Supreme Pt. III – Pursuance
6. Interlude 3
7. Interlude 4
8. A Love Supreme Pt. IV – Psalm

This collection showcases some of Coltrane's best recordings as a side artist and features collaborations with such jazz greats as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Tadd Dameron, and Art Taylor. Primarily focusing on Coltrane's recordings as side man from 1956 and 1957 on the Prestige, Riverside, and Jazzland labels, it also includes a guest appearance (and legendary tenor saxophone solo) with Miles Davis on the track "Someday My Prince Will Come" (from the 1961 Miles Davis Columbia album of the same title).

The 2-LP vinyl edition contains two extra tracks that are not available on the CD and digital editions: Nutty (Originally released on the album Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane (Jazzland JLP 46) and Birks' Works (Originally released on the Red Garland Quintet album Soul Junction featuring John Coltrane and Donald Byrd). The liner notes were written by Doug Ramsey, winner of the Jazz Journalists Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Ramsey is the author of the award-winning biography Take Five, The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond. His other awards include two ASCAP Deems Taylors.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. SONNY ROLLINS QUARTET: Tenor Madness (12:08)
2. MILES DAVIS AND THE MODERN JAZZ GIANTS: 'Round Midnight (5:22)
3. THE MILES DAVIS QUINTET: Oleo (6:17)
Side B
1. THE MILES DAVIS QUINTET: Airegin (4:21)
2. TADD DAMERON WITH JOHN COLTRANE: Soultrane (5:22)
3. ART TAYLOR: C.T.A. (4:39)
4. THELONIOUS MONK: Monk's Mood (7:48)
Side C
1. THELONIOUS MONK WITH JOHN COLTRANE: Epistrophy (Alternate Take) (3:07)
2. THELONIOUS MONK WITH JOHN COLTRANE: Trinkle, Tinkle (6:39)
3. *THELONIOUS MONK WITH JOHN COLTRANE: Nutty* (6:36)
4. *RED GARLAND QUINTET FEATURING JOHN COLTRANE AND DONALD BYRD: Birks' Works* (7:32)
Side D
1. THE RED GARLAND QUINTET WITH JOHN COLTRANE: Billie's Bounce (9:21)
2. MILES DAVIS: Someday My Prince Will Come (9:02) 

* Vinyl Bonus Tracks.

John Coltrane is one of the most renowned jazz artists and influential saxophonists in music history

Within the span of less than three weeks, John Coltrane completed his work with Miles Davis on what would become the bestselling jazz title in history (Kind of Blue) and embarked on his first record with Atlantic that would become the landmark recording Giant Steps.

Saying farewell to bebop, "Giant Steps" was Coltrane's second album to be recorded for the Atlantic label, and marked the first time that all of the pieces on a recording had been composed by him. The recording exemplifies Coltrane's melodic phrasing that came to be known as 'sheets of sound', and features the use of a new harmonic concept later to be known as 'Coltrane changes'. The set features early versionss of "Naima", "Cousin Mary", "Mr PC", "Spiral", and "Syeeda's Song Flute".

A remastered, deluxe 180g 2-LP and 2-CD, each with the original album plus a bonus disc of alternate takes and versions – including rehearsal and incomplete tracks, as well as false starts – only previously included in The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings of John Coltrane boxed set.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: There are few artists more important to the history of jazz than John Coltrane, and ‘Giant Steps’ is one of the reasons why. From bebop to the development of free-jazz, you can hear the influence that Coltrane took in, and in turn his influence on the world of music. Now, we get a deluxe double album reissue with an extra disc of unheard outtakes. It’s a no-brainer for any jazz fan.

TRACK LISTING

2LP / 2 CD

DISC ONE – STANDARD ALBUM (Side A)
1. Giant Steps
2. Cousin Mary
3. Countdown
4. Spiral

DISC ONE – STANDARD ALBUM (Side B)
5. Syeeda’s Song Flute
6. Naima
7. Mr. P.C.

DISC TWO – THE OUTTAKES (Side A)
1. Giant Steps (Alternate, Take 1, Incomplete)
2. Naima (Alternate Take)
3. Like Sonny (Alternate Take)
4. Countdown (Alternate Take)

DISC TWO – THE OUTTAKES (Side B)
5. Syeeda's Song Flute (Alternate Take)
6. Cousin Mary (Alternate Take)
7. Giant Steps, Take 5 (Alternate)
8. Giant Steps, Take 6 (Alternate)

'In 1964, the National Film Board of Canada asked John Coltrane to record the soundtrack for a French-language film titled “Le chat dans le sac” (“The Cat in the Bag”).  Amazingly, no announcement was made that the iconic Coltrane was adding new performances to this film.In June of that year, Coltrane’s ‘Classic Quartet’ entered Rudy Van Gelder’s studio and recorded five previously- recorded Coltrane originals. For many years, viewers of the film who recognized the music thought that they were listening to the original recordings, though in fact they were new and had never been heard. Now, with the release of Blue World, we can hear these newly-discovered recordings for the first time.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Naima (Take 1)
A2. Village Blues (Take 2)
A3. Blue World
A4. Village Blues (Take 1)
B1. Village Blues (Take 3)
B2. Like Sonny
B3. Traneing In
B4. Naima (Take 2)

'In the brief, bright arc that is the career of John Coltrane, 1963 marks a point of transition between past jazz masterpieces and future work which would transcend the boundaries of the music itself.  That year's recorded output shows movement in many directions: a look back at the past, continued examination of a familiar repertoire, exploration of more traditional formats and a look forward at compositions and approaches that would further extend the reach of jazz. John Coltrane 1963: New Directions collects all of John Coltrane’s 1963 Impulse recordings in the order in which they were recorded

5-LP, 3-CD sets include artwork featuring original collages.

The box is meant to show the growth in Coltrane’s musical journey in 1963 that ultimately resulted in 1964’s “Crescent” and, especially, “A Love Supreme” // Music comes from the original albums “Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album”, “John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman”, “Dear Old Stockholm” (released after Coltrane’s death), “Newport ‘63” and “Live at Birdland”.

John Coltrane’s landmark Atlantic album in glorious mono.

Saying farewell to bebop, "Giant Steps" was Coltrane's second album to be recorded for the Atlantic label, and marked the first time that all of the pieces on a recording had been composed by him. The recording exemplifies Coltrane's melodic phrasing that came to be known as 'sheets of sound', and features the use of a new harmonic concept later to be known as 'Coltrane changes'. The set features early versionss of "Naima", "Cousin Mary", "Mr PC", "Spiral", and "Syeeda's Song Flute".

To coincide with the release of the John Coltrane documentary Chasing Trane, this 1 LP & 1 CD compilation with unique artwork, remastered for the release, is designed as an introduction to John Coltrane’s revered Atlantic recordings. Trane: The Atlantic Collection includes the hit single ‘My Favorite Things,’ the iconic ‘Giant Steps, ‘Naima’ and more, from one of the legends of the jazz world. The album features a new liner notes essay by Ben Ratliff, former NY Times jazz critic, & author of the 2007 biography ‘Coltrane: The Story of a Sound.’

"Blue Train" is John Coltrane's only collection of sides as a principal artist for Blue Note. The album is packed with sonic evidence of Coltrane's innate leadership abilities. He not only addresses the tunes at hand, but also simultaneously reinvents himself as a multifaceted interpreter of both hard bop as well as sensitive balladry - touching upon all forms in between. The personnel on "Blue Train" is arguably as impressive as what they're playing. Joining Coltrane (tenor sax) are Lee Morgan (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Kenny Drew (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). The triple horn arrangements incorporate an additional sonic density that remains a trademark unique to both this band and album. Of particular note is Fuller's even-toned trombone, which bops throughout the title track as well as the frenetic "Moments Notice". Other solos include Paul Chambers' subtly understated riffs on "Blue Train" as well as the high energy and impact from contributions by Lee Morgan and Kenny Drew during "Locomotion". The track likewise features some brief but vital contributions from Philly Joe Jones - whose efforts throughout the record stand among his personal best. Of the five pieces that comprise the original "Blue Train", the Jerome Kern / Johnny Mercer ballad "I'm Old Fashioned" is the only standard; in terms of unadulterated sentiment, this version is arguably untouchable. Fuller's rich tones and Drew's tastefully executed solos cleanly wrap around Jones' steadily languid rhythms. Without reservation, "Blue Train" can easily be considered in and among the most important and influential entries not only of John Coltrane's career, but of the entire genre of jazz music as well.

Blue Note President Don Was says, “Two years ago, we began remastering the jewels of the Blue Note catalogue in hi-def resolutions of 96k and 192k. In order to develop a guiding artistic philosophy for this delicate endeavor, we donned our lab coats, ran dozens of sonic experiments and carefully referenced every generation of our reissues. Ultimately, we decided that our goal would be to protect the original intentions of the artists, producers and engineers who made these records and that, in the case of pre-digital-era albums, these intentions were best represented by the sound and feel of their first-edition vinyl releases. Working with a team of dedicated and groovy engineers, we found a sound that both captured the feel of the original records while maintaining the depth and transparency of the master tapes... the new remasters are really cool!

While these new versions will become available in digital hi-def, CD and Mastered for iTunes formats, the allure of vinyl records is WAY too potent to ignore. This year, Blue Note - along with our friends at Universal Music Enterprises - is launching a major 75th Anniversary vinyl Initiative that is dedicated to the proposition that our catalogue should be readily available, featuring high quality pressings and authentic reproductions of Blue Note's iconic packaging. Although this program begins in celebration of Blue Note's 75th Anniversary, our catalog runs so deep that we will faithfully be reissuing five albums a month for many years to come!”

TRACK LISTING

Blue Train 10:40
Moment's Notice 9:08
Locomotion 7:12
I'm Old Fashioned 7:55
Lazy Bird 7:04

Quite simply "A Love Supreme" is an essential jazz classic. Not only Coltrane's best-known work, but one he regarded as his gift to God. It's undeniably one of the most important and influential jazz records ever made. This newly remastered deluxe two CD set is breathtaking in its scope. The first disc consists of the 1965 version but the second disc has the Coltrane Quartet's only live performance of the suite, recorded at the Antibes jazz festival that summer and receiving its first authorized release. Most notably, it also includes the long-rumoured sextet version of the opening movement, receiving its first release of any kind. Mastered by the original recording engineer, Rudy Van Gelder, and containing extensive annotation and many photographs, this is the definitive edition of an indisputable masterpiece.

Coltrane's classic "Ballads" album now issued in a deluxe edition with a second CD of extra tracks. These late 1961 sessions are amongst his most beautiful and tender recordings and features the quartet that came to be regarded as the definitive Coltrane group, McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums and Jimmy Garrison on bass. This is Coltrane on majestic, yet restrained form. There's an melodic ease and lyrical approach to these tracks which make it an all time favourite for late night / early morning sessions and the spakling remastered sound simply adds towards making this an essential jazz purchase.

Already suffering from the liver cancer that would end his life three months later "The Olatunji Concert" was the last live recording to be made by the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane. On it, his power remains undiminished and the intensity of the performance is both noble and intimidating with drummer Rashid Ali in a brutal mood whilst Alice Coltrane's piano and Pharoah Sanders' tenor sax add a tenderness and edge respectively to a concert of challenging proportions and undeniable historical significance.

It's an often overlooked fact that apart from being one of the greatest innovators in jazz and an intense live improviser, John Coltrane could also demonstrate a mellow, melodic side with equal aplomb. This compilation of ten tracks shows the more restrained 'ballad' style of the jazz legend.

Saying farewell to bebop, "Giant Steps" was Coltrane's second album to be recorded for the Atlantic label, and marked the first time that all of the pieces on a recording had been composed by him. The recording exemplifies Coltrane's melodic phrasing that came to be known as 'sheets of sound', and features the use of a new harmonic concept later to be known as 'Coltrane changes'. The set features early versionss of "Naima", "Cousin Mary", "Mr PC", "Spiral", and "Syeeda's Song Flute".