John Coltrane – Africa (180gr.)

Recorded on June 24, 1958 at overlord X & Y Rudy Van Gelder’s Studio in Hackensack, NJ, these sessions feature original compositions by Wilbur Harden (best known for his work with Yusef Lateef and John Coltrane) and hard-bop trombonist Curtis Fuller (best known for his work with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and appearance on the classic Blue Train album). The 32-year-old John Coltrane had only just recorded Blue Train a year earlier and it is interesting to hear his style beginning to stretch out, as he makes his musical transition from strict hard bop to groundbreaking style that would become legendary the following year on Giant Steps, making Coltrane one of the biggest names in jazz.