John Coltrane and Kenny Burrell first played together in 1951 as members of the Dizzy Gillespie band. From 1956 to 1958 they would also participate on four albums together: Paul Chambers’ Whims of Chambers (Blue Note BLP-1534), Interplayfor 2 trumpets and 2 tenors (Prestige 7112), Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane (Prestige/New Jazz NJLP- 8276), on which they were co-leaders, and the album presented here, The Cats (New Jazz NJLP- 8217). Originally issued under Tommy Flanagan’s name, The Cats features an outstanding sextet in long performances that leave room for all of the players to solo without restrictions.
PERSONNEL:
- JOHN COLTRANE, tenor sax
- KENNY BURRELL, guitar
- IDREES SULIEMAN, trumpet
- TOMMY FLANAGAN, piano
- DOUG WATKINS, bass
- LOUIS HAYES, drums
Hackensack, New Jersey, April 18, 1957.
A2 is a trio performance by the rhythm section.
- (*) BONUS TRACK:
- JOHN COLTRANE, tenor sax; KENNY BURRELL, guitar
- DONALD BYRD, trumpet; HORACE SILVER, piano
- PAUL CHAMBERS, bass; PHILLY JOE JONES, drums.
- Hackensack, New Jersey, September 21, 1956.
TRACKS:
- A1 MINOR MISHAP
- A2 HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?
- A3 ECLYPSO
- B1 SOLACIUM
- B2 TOMMY’S TIME
- B3 JUST FOR THE LOVE (*)
Label: Jazz Images