A stunningly powerful batch of hardbop tracks from Mal Waldron – one that's different both from his trio material of the time, and from some of the ways that he works on the Prestige blowing sessions of the period – as Waldron is clearly the leader here, and really works magic with a group of legendary players! The lineup features two different groups – both with John Coltrane on tenor, a key force on the record – one with Sahib Shihab on alto and Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, the other with Jackie McLean on alto and Bill Hardman on drums. Both feature the more obscure Julien Euell on bass, and the Sulieman set features Ed Thigpen on drums, the other Art Taylor on the kit. The groove is incredible, and the tracks scream with a sheer raw power that is sometimes missing from these late 50's Prestige sides – as Waldron takes all of his imagination from the looser "blowing" sessions for the label, and packs it into tight arrangements and compositions that bring out the best in all soloists! Titles include "Potpourri", "JM's Dream Doll", "One By One", "From This Moment On", and "Don't Explain". LP, Vinyl record album

With John Coltrane, Bobby Jaspar, Paul Quinichette, Booker Ervin, Gene Ammons, Jackie McLean, Eric Dolphy, Cecil Payne, Pepper Adams, Steve Lacy, Idrees Sulieman, Johnny Splawn, Webster Young, Kenny Burrell, Joe Puma, Teddy Charles, Paul Chambers, Julian Euell, Earl May, Addison Farmer, Buell Neidlinger, Joe Benjamin, Wendell Marshall, Ron Carter, Art Taylor, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Ed Thigpen, Jerry Segal, Kenny Dennis, Elvin Jones, and Charlie Persip. CD

A great meeting of tenor sax talents old and young – as the up-and-coming John Coltrane plays alongside Paul "Vice Pres" Quinichette – in a classic Prestige session of well-blown saxophone work! The rhythm section on the album features Mal Waldron on piano, Julian Euell on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums – but the real focus here is on the tenor giants in the title – working together in warm spirit that's surprisingly well matched! Titles include "Sunday", "Cattin", "Anatomy", and "Vodka". CD

Classic early John Coltrane for Prestige – less a bold statement as a leader than a strong batch of blowing session-styled tracks that show how well Coltrane could hold his own with more established players! The groups on the set vary from track to track – and feature players that include Sahib Shihab, Mal Waldron, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Al Heath – plus underappreciated Philly trumpeter Johnnie Splawn. Trane's in great form here – even though the overall set's a bit less structured than some of his later albums – and his tone and solo approach are already stepping out from the rest of the pack with great vigor! Titles include "Bakai", "Time Was", "Straight Street", and "Chronic Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic early John Coltrane for Prestige – less a bold statement as a leader than a strong batch of blowing session-styled tracks that show how well Coltrane could hold his own with more established players! Players are Mal Waldron, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Al Heath. Trane's in great form here – even though the overall set's a bit less structured than some of his later albums – and his tone and solo approach are already stepping out from the rest of the pack with great vigor! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Classic early John Coltrane for Prestige – less a bold statement as a leader than a strong batch of blowing session-styled tracks that show how well Coltrane could hold his own with more established players! The groups on the set vary from track to track – and feature players that include Sahib Shihab, Mal Waldron, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Al Heath – plus underappreciated Philly trumpeter Johnnie Splawn. Trane's in great form here – even though the overall set's a bit less structured than some of his later albums – and his tone and solo approach are already stepping out from the rest of the pack with great vigor! Titles include "Bakai", "Time Was", "Straight Street", and "Chronic Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

2 trumpets, 2 tenors, and a heck of a lot of open-ended blowing session magic! The format for this one's incredibly loose – as might be guessed by the "leaderless" nature of the record – but the session's a great example of the Prestige blowing session mode at its best – as it brings together unlikely groupmates, and really lets them feel each other out in the studio. On tenor, John Coltrane's deeper sound is matched with lightness of Bobby Jaspar's tone – and on trumpet, blowing session regular Webster Lewis and Idrees Sulieman show their talents at working strongly in a less-fettered format. The rest of the group includes Kenny Burrell on guitar, Mal Waldron on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums – and the album's 4 tracks are all nice and long – and include "Interplay", "Anatomy", "Light Blue", & "Soul Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic early John Coltrane for Prestige – less a bold statement as a leader than a strong batch of blowing session-styled tracks that show how well Coltrane could hold his own with more established players! The groups on the set vary from track to track – and feature players that include Sahib Shihab, Mal Waldron, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Al Heath – plus underappreciated Philly trumpeter Johnnie Splawn. Trane's in great form here – even though the overall set's a bit less structured than some of his later albums – and his tone and solo approach are already stepping out from the rest of the pack with great vigor! Titles include "Bakai", "Time Was", "Straight Street", and "Chronic Blues". CD

A classic all-star set from Prestige Records – cut during that late 50s stretch when they took key players to Rudy Van Gelder's, and really let them open up in the studio! The set features three great talents on tenor – John Coltrane, Paul Quinichette, and Frank Wess – the last of whom also blows a bit of flute – and the super rhythm section features Mal Waldron on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Art Taylor on drums! All tracks are nice and long – and titles include "Wheelin", "Dealin", and "Things Ain't What They Used To Be". LP, Vinyl record album

Mal Waldron on piano, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Jackie McLean and Sahib Shihab on alto saxophone, Art Farmer, Bill Hardman, and Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, Calo Scott on cello, Eric Dixon on flute, Julian Euell on bass, Arthur Taylor and Elvin Jones on drums, with vocals from Elaine Waldron. CD

A great meeting of tenor sax talents old and young – as the up-and-coming John Coltrane plays alongside Paul "Vice Pres" Quinichette – in a classic Prestige session of well-blown saxophone work! The rhythm section on the album features Mal Waldron on piano, Julian Euell on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums – but the real focus here is on the tenor giants in the title – working together in warm spirit that's surprisingly well matched! Titles include "Sunday", "Cattin", "Anatomy", and "Vodka". LP, Vinyl record album

Kenny Burrell on guitar with Gene Ammins, Ray Brown, Donald Bgyrd, Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Art Farmer, Tommy Flanagan, Coleman Hawkins, Joe Henderson, Philly Joe Jones, Wynton Kelly, Jackie McLean, Jimmy Smith, Arthur Taylor, Stanley Turrentine, Mal Waldron, Cedar Walton, and others. CD