"Blues & Roots" by Charles Mingus on Atlantic 1305

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One of his best…

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Mingus is one of my favorite jazz musicians and composers. He was a master of blending old and new and always had the roots of the blues very much in focus in his music. Some of the very best jazz albums of all time for me is credited to him. My favorites are The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Mingus Ah Um, Mingus Dynasty and this one on display, Blues & Roots.

His double bass mastery is evident as always on this session, and I hold him in very high regard in terms of thinking of my favorite double bassists. If I was to choose my top 5 bassists in jazz now, without thinking too much, they will probably be, in no particular order, Scott La Faro, Richard Davis, Charlie Haden, Henry Grimes and Mingus.

This album is another highlight of 2023 which I’ve been looking for for a long time. It’s definitely not easy to find an original issue in mono with the beautiful bulls eye labels. I really dig those labels and I have always loved the cover art as well. The session is top notch and features a stellar cast, with Jackie McLean, Booker Ervin, Pepper Adams, Mal Waldron, Dannie Richmond among others.

Happy to have checked this one off of the want list this year and I’m anticipating it will get plenty of time on the turntable.

"Olé Coltrane" by John Coltrane on Atlantic 1373

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The title track is a masterpiece.

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An eastern, oriental vibe fills the room when I put this Coltrane album on the turntable. Wonderful flute sounds emerges, which accents and complements the oriental flavor of this masterpiece, which is the title track. The flute player is one “George Lane”, who of course is the great Eric Dolphy. Freddie Hubbard plays trumpet on this which is always a treat. He’s always brilliantly tuned on. McCoy Tyner, another favorite, handles the piano duties with his usual passion. Unusually and interestingly, there are two bassists in Reggie Workman and Art Davis. It creates a special vibe, with one playing over the other one with the bow for example. It fits the whole concept great. Elvin Jones plays the drums which always adds that awesome energy. 

The second side is quite a different style. No oriental stuff here. Very pleasing, bluesy stuff though. Hubbard plays superb on Dahomey Dance. The last tune is “Aisha“, which offers some soothing notes to close the album.

I have acquired three Coltrane Atlantics so far; “Giant Steps”, “Olé” and “Bags & Trane”. Aiming to add a couple more. “My Favorite Things” is probably next. I almost got my hands on a deep groove version of that one not too long ago. The search continues…

Some questions for my readers, as per usual: What’s your take on this album? Is “Olé” in your Coltrane top ten list? Do you have a favorite Coltrane on Atlantic?

Right now I’m contemplating adding a Blue Note to the collection. It’s been a long while since I bought one. I have been concentrating on other labels for quite a while. There are so many great titles that have been on the want list forever. I’ll try and pick one title and see if I can get it. The problem is picking only one though. But only one is probably what I can afford right now. It depends on the title of course, but the ones I’m looking at are not cheap. And of course, all original Blue Notes commands some dough. We’ll see what happens.

It’s cold and snowy here in Stockholm. I’m longing for the spring now. Longing for this pandemic to end… stay safe everybody, and stay tuned for more original vintage jazz albums from the collection.

John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" on Atlantic

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John Coltrane's masterpiece "Giant Steps" on Atlantic 1311

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This is the original 1st pressing of John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" on the deep groove black labels of Atlantic 1311. Wonderful condition on both vinyl and cover, with both being M-. What can you say about this album, other than it's a masterpiece. John Coltrane's playing is nothing short of superb on this beautifully recorded album from 1960. It's his debut album for the Atlantic label and was his breakthrough album as a leader.

It's just a phenomenal example of Coltrane's brilliance on the tenor saxophone. And a brilliant example of his ability to write superb original compositions. My favorite picks are the medium tempo effort "Spiral" and the title track. Great jazz by a master of his craft. The stellar ensemble that backs him up on this are; Tommy Flanagan on piano, Wynton Kelly piano on "Naima", Paul Chambers on double bass, Art Taylor on drums, Jimmy Cobb drums on "Naima".

I have quite a lot to catch up on when it comes to Coltrane. There's a lot of albums I don't have, both early ones and the later stuff on Impulse! records. That's something I'll need to remedy sooner rather than later. I dig him a lot. So, a lot of Coltrane on the wants list for sure. I'm really looking forward to exploring his works more. Can't wait. Most jazz lovers probably have this album in their collection, but if you don't, get it posthaste.

Which Coltrane album is your favorite?