"Coltrane" is the John Coltrane's debut album as a leader, meaning this is the first time he was the primary artist, leading the session occurred just after his period with Miles Davis.
Earlier in 1957, Coltrane had been fired by Davis (in April) over drug-related problems, then spent time in Philadelphia dealing with those issues. Musically, though his mature, iconic style was still developing, you can see him stretching: a real work with complex standards and original compositions, experimenting with phrasing and the form.
Released in October 1957 (recorded May 31, 1957 at Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey) the album didn't make a major splash on release, Coltrane was still mostly known as Miles Davis's sideman and briefly as a member of Thelonious Monk's quartet. Prestige Records wasn't promoting him heavily; they were more focused on Miles, Rollins, and others.
But what critics called "first glimpse" of Coltrane will be in future an important record valued as the document of his emerging sound, especially his work with harmony, phrasing, and that "sheets of sound" style that he'd refine later. A mix of tradition and forward-looking impulses Gives us the early seeds of the Coltrane sound: intensity, harmonic exploration, spiritual searching.
Track Listing
Bakai Violets for Your Furs Time Was Straight Street While My Lady Sleeps Chronic Blues
