John Coltrane – Coltrane Plays The Blues: Atlantic 75 Series (45rpm 180g Vinyl 2LP)

Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series)

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records!

A journey through the blues, from the timeless sax legend!

180-gram 45 RPM double LP

Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original master tape

Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jackets with film lamination by Stoughton Printing

“It’s so detailed … the idea of Coltrane comes so beautifully through the speakers! Amazing! … What makes this album really special for me is … here, this is a huge accomplishment by the band – four musicians, and musically, totally worth your time. … Quite impressive.” — Michael Ludwigs, 45 RPM Audiophile. YouTube video.

These recordings come from the same sessions that produced 1961’s My Favorite Things. This is one of the least well-known Coltrane albums, partly because it is an all blues format and partly because it was released at the end of his association with Atlantic records.

Plays The Blues features the talents of McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and Steve Davis. It is the beginning of his work with Tyner and Jones in quartet form. For that alone this recording would be important.  Although this album is called Plays The Blues, this is by no means the only blues which Coltrane plays. There are blues elements, moods and feelings in all of his best-known recordings. Listen to “Slowtrane,” “Blue Train,” “Bessie’s Blues” among others and one can’t help but hear the blues vibe, writes AllAboutJazz.com.

The original six tracks are fantastic and have that same blues vibe. They hit the listener right in the heart and soul and don’t let go. All six are superb, but “Blues To Bechet,” “Mr. Day,” “Mr. Knight” and “Blues To Elvin” are absolute classics.

Mastered from the original tape by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound in Nashville. Cut at 45 RPM. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jackets with film lamination by Stoughton Printing. Superb.