John Coltrane recorded so frequently for the Prestige label during '56-'58 that it's tough to figure out where to start. This May 1957 recording, coming just after his departure from the Miles Davis Quintet, is a pretty good initiation; it doesn't reach the heights of Blue Train (the indisputable classic from Trane's early period, recorded for Blue Note) but is still a great session of hard bop with plenty of Coltrane's powerful, intense playing. The album's peaks are two ballads ("Violets for Your Furs", "While My Lady Sleeps" -- Coltrane was already an incredible ballad player by this time) and the tense "Bakai". The other tracks are all prime hard bop. My only real complaint is about the rest of the players: the rhythm section (Mal Waldron and Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, Al Heath on drums) is excellent, but Johnny Splawn (trumpet) and Sahib Shihab (baritone sax) pale in comparison to some of the other horn players Coltrane recorded with around this time. Nevertheless, First Trane is a great purchase for any Coltrane fan; the 20 bit remaster by Fantasy has crystal clear sound. One final note: this album is actually titled "Coltrane" on the CD. There's another (excellent) album of the same name which John Coltrane recorded in 1962 for the Impulse! label in a very different style. Be aware which one you are buying.

In hindsight we know where Coltrane's musical/spiritual quest would take him over the years. What I find fascinating is hearing seeds of his final intense phases planted in his early playing. And so, of course, "Coltrane," listed here as "First Trane," is worth owning. Trane plays hard and well (as always) with the able support of pianists Red Garland & Mal Waldron, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Al "Tootie" Heath. In particular I enjoy Trane's ballad work (here represented by "Violets For Your Furs" and the mysterious "While My Lady Sleeps.) It's refreshing to hear ballads interpreted with a harder tone and less sentimentality than other tenor saxophonists often bring to them. What's somewhat odd about this session is the addition of trumpeter Johnnie Splawn and baritone saxophonist Sahib Shihab. Each only gets to solo twice; otherwise they simply play in the ensemble. On "While My Lady Sleeps" Splawn plays just one note! Their playing is OK here but I would much rather have Trane fill their space. Coltrane collectors will want this CD; those with limited shelf space or funds might want to consider "Traning In," "Soultrane," or "Settin' the Pace" (all with the magnificent Red Garland trio) for a fine taste of early Trane. Also don't mistake this CD for a later Impulse release also titled "Coltrane." That's how I ended up with this CD in the first place!

This is Coltrane's first album as a leader. Before A Love Surpreme, before My Favorite Things, and before Giant Steps, Coltrane was becoming alive during these recordings.

The songs are great, and so are the players. If you want some Coltrane from the 50's, this is the place to go! A fine recording!