Not quite on his next jazz shit yet, but certainly the gem of Trane’s Prestige recordings, Soultrane was recorded just two years prior to Giant Steps. There’s no originals and therefore no opportunities to flex his compositional genius, but the standards contained herein are interpreted in his signature 'sheets of sound' style, and compared to the originals and renditions by his peers, you can still hear the flame of brilliance flickering inside him. Alongside Red Garland, Art Taylor and Mr. PC (quartets don’t come much better than this in 1958), Coltrane spreads out nice and cool on side A, with 10+ minute versions of “Good Bait” and his first studio recording of Billy Eckstine’s “I Want To Talk About You,” which he would revisit repeatedly throughout his career. Side B features tempered renditions of “You Say You Care,” “Theme for Ernie” and ends with a decidedly faster version of old standard “Russian Lullaby,” which Trane lovingly coined “Rushin’ Lullaby.” Indie exclusive edition on blue colored vinyl, recommended.

• blue colored vinyl
• indie exclusive
• limited edition
• music label: Prestige 2019

reviewed by nick nightingale 07/2019