The CD is off and running from the first note of 'Spring is Here'.This quintet really smokes.Coltrane's solos are bursting with amazing ideas,he never stops searching it seems.for the 'elysianfields'. The great idea man,with a tireless creative energy. There are so many ingenious components to his solos,that one can go back for numerous listenings and hear something new every time,and from a different angle.The great Wilbur Harden,appears for this quintet date.It's unfortunate that he wasn't recorded more. His tone is pure butter,and one of the few truly superb line players in the hard-bop genre.One of the greats amoungst a select group. Morgan,Donald Bryd,Freddie Hubbard,Kenny Dorham ,Blue Mitchell,and Clifford Brown,just to name few. It's rare to find the combnation of a great tone and a superb line player.Well we have it here.Enjoy.
I always loved Jimmy Cobb.Red,is Red,always in the pocket.Trane is on fire
on 'Spring is here'.And Wilbur plays exquisitley on 'Love Thy Neighbor'
Really inspiring stuff. A great learning template for ideas.Happy Holidays

This album is an amazing collection of ballad playing on the highest level. Those reviewers who claim to hear Coltrane straining at the bit to get a more complex sound are missing what I prefer to his later work, which is a sheer lyricism and beauty that was the first casualty of the next phase of jazz.
Colrane's sensitivy, and yearning romantic spirit are well expressed in a session that is without peer. A great recording
of inspired playing.

Between 1955 and 1967 John Coltrane recorded extensively. Most of his output was astonishing by normal standards. His sound was always special, his phrasing unique and influential. The spiritual power, of always striving for something higher, exists in some measure in all his recordings.
The music on this CD is great. Coltrane already developed a linear approach to his phrasing, that would lead him later to abandon the use of chords. His sound was edgy, his emotional power evident.
To me, the more conservative context of these 1958 recordings was limiting Coltrane from expressing himself more freely. I believe I can hear him trying to go places, while the rhythm section stays back, holding him back. Still, the music is great.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in Coltrane's 50's period, or to anyone who is a Coltrane's collector. However - I do not think this is the best Coltrane from the 50's (try Blue Trane, Soultrane) and the Coltrane of the 60's was a ground breaking experience almost every time he touched his horn.

Has tunes from 3 diferent cds issued on fantasy recorded around the same dates. Most are very mellow and bluesy. Provides insight into the development stage of the future master.