Dakar by John Coltrane from 'Dakar'

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In the spring of 1957, John Coltrane had gone through two years of artistic growth so concentrated it was astonishing even in the jazz world, where compressed musical development is far from unknown. As the other horn in the Miles Davis Quintet, Coltrane had moved from virtual obscurity to acclaim as the tenor saxophone innovator of the decade.

Although major stylistic departures were to come, Coltrane was at a peak of the probing lyricism and strength of his middle period. With the interestingly contrasted baritone saxophonists Cecil Payne and Pepper Adams, and a rhythm section of great smoothness and swing, Dakar is a gem in the Coltrane discography.

As Coltrane's fame grew during the 1960s after he had stopped recording for Prestige, the record company assembled and reissued varied Coltrane recordings with his name prominently displayed, though in many cases, like on Dakar, he had originally been a sideman. However, issuing the album as if it were originally led by Coltrane was later deemed appropriate given that his "urgent" performances were often the most compelling.

John Coltrane Dakar Track Listing:

1. Dakar
2. Mary's Blues
3. Route 4
4. Velvet Scene
5. Witches Pit
6. Catwalk