John Coltrane - Turning Point (2021)

Those seeking unreleased John Coltrane sides will no doubt be disappointed by this set. All of it has been available before and in better packages. El/Cherry Red blew it with this compilation of John Coltrane sides from 1957 for Prestige as a sideman and as a leader. Over 11 tracks Coltrane is showcased as a sideman with Tadd Dameron, Red Garland, and Kenny Burrell, and as a leader (from the First Trane date on Prestige). Familiar numbers like "Mating Call," "Soultrane," and "Soft Lights and Sweet Music" are excellent, but they reveal nothing listeners didn't already know. It is only the three tracks from First Trane, most importantly "Bakai," written by Cal Massey and featuring Sahib Shihab, Garland, Paul Chambers, and Albert Heath, that really offer a portrait of what was to come. In 2008 there have been numerous compilations from Great Britain all mining the same material. Their dodgy copyright laws allow for CDs like this to be released without artist compensation. The music here is quality, but there is little to no reason to recommend this set to anyone. ~ Thom Jurek