Originally released in 1963 on Prestige, 'Dakar' is actually a recording from 1957, somewhere between 'Blue Train' and 'Giant Steps'. The original recording was credited to the 'Prestige All Stars', but the label reintroduced it with John Coltrane as the lead, because the label deemed "his "urgent" performances were often the most compelling." Dakar finds Coltrane at his hard bop sweet spot, riffing over a silky smooth backing of Cecil Payne, Pepper Adams, Doug Watkins, Art Taylor, and Mal Waldron. Limited edition reissue released on the occasion of the 90th birthday of legendary recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder.

• music label: Prestige 1963 / 2014

reviewed by the mgmnt 03/2014