JOHN COLTRANE / Settin’ The Pace

Description

This is Coltrane from the period when he was a member of Miles Davis’ legendary 1950s quintet, accompanied by fellow quintet members Garland and Chambers. This is ‘Trane in a relaxed bop mode, making some swinging relaxed jazz in the vein of Sonny Rollins and Stan Getz (the latter in his more bop-ish mode). This is not the fire-breathing saxophonist of the middle ’60s, but a player who was beginning to push against the boundaries, all the while playing with thoughtful, imaginative lyricism. It’s a set of little-known pop tunes of the era, with the exception of Jackie McLean’s “Little Melonae.” Anyone who likes/loves the mainstream jazz of the ’50s, or Miles’ music of that time, and/or Coltrane fans who want/need to hear their idol in an easy-going context should pick up on this.

01. I See Your Face Before Me
02. If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You
03. Little Melonae
04. Rise ‘n’ Shine