This pivotal album was really the first of Coltrane's great recordings and the beginning of his ascent. This recording done in August of 1957 while Coltrane was part of Thelonious Monk's great quartet show his immense improvement over his recordings in 1956. Coltrane had settled his demons (alcohol and drugs) and had been inspired by Monk to practice and improve what he started out to be. Coltrane by this recording had become a major influence and along with Sonny Rollins, the most important voice of the tenor saxophone. Here he is with a perfect rhythm section with Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and the always swinging Arthur Taylor on drums. The true beginning of Coltrane's greatness right here.

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