John Coltrane My Favorite Things/Africa Brass (180g Import Vinyl 2LP) * * *

John Coltrane 2 Original Albums: My Favorite Things/Africa Brass on 180g Import 2LP

Instantly recognized and forever celebrated, My Favorite Things is a landmark recording in every possible sense. The 1960 album is the first that introduced John Coltrane's legendary quartet with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Steve Davis, and drummer Elvin Jones. It is also the first on which he played soprano saxophone. And it absolutely reimagined how a popular song (the smash title track) could be interpreted and spun into a completely new, absorbingly beautiful piece of art. The remainder of the album is equally splendid, with Coltrane riffing on two George Gershwin tunes and displaying a trademark coolness that defined his work for Atlantic. Vinyl Passion pairs the iconic My Favorite Things in a 180g 2LP package with Africa Brass, Coltrane's 1961 album for the fledgling Impulse! label which finds the jazz master exploring African rhythms along with some of the most unusual instrumentation of his career. His classic quartet is even backed here by a 15-piece brass band!