John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman - S/T (Japanese Impulse! Vinyl LP)

A sublime meeting of two masters, this 1963 collaboration between John Coltrane and vocalist Johnny Hartman stands as one of the most beautiful and emotionally direct albums in either artist's catalogue. This 1980 Japanese reissue on Impulse!, manufactured by Victor Musical Industries, captures the warmth and intimacy of the original Rudy Van Gelder recording with the superior pressing quality Japanese editions are celebrated for.

Recorded on 7 March 1963 with Coltrane's legendary quartet (McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, Elvin Jones on drums), the album finds Coltrane in an unusually tender and supportive role. His tenor saxophone provides sensitive countermelodies and gentle solo statements that complement rather than compete with Hartman's rich baritone voice. The result is music of rare grace and sophistication, where each musician serves the songs with restraint and deep feeling.

The six standards included here receive definitive interpretations. "My One And Only Love" has become the album's signature piece, with Coltrane's opening statement setting an atmosphere of romantic yearning that Hartman inhabits completely. "Lush Life", Billy Strayhorn's notoriously difficult composition, receives a reading that honours both its lyrical complexity and emotional depth. Throughout, whether on the optimism of "They Say It's Wonderful" or the melancholy of "Autumn Serenade", the empathy between vocalist and saxophonist is profound.

This Japanese pressing from 1980 represents the album in exceptional sonic quality, allowing every nuance of Van Gelder's recording and the quartet's delicate interplay to shine through. For collectors seeking this essential vocal jazz session, this Impulse! edition offers both historical significance and audiophile satisfaction.

Vinyl: EX
Sleeve: VG+
Obi: None

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