JOHN COLTRANE Art Blakey's Big Band And Quintet (2008 UK 9-track LP pressed on 180gram VIRGIN VINYL - recorded in NYC in December 1957 and originally released on the small Bethlehem Records, this LP contains 2 amazing sessions: Session B [1,2,5,6,7,8 & 9] features a 15-piece big band led by Art Blakey who was in transition with his Jazz Messengers at the time. The band he has put together for this session explores some wilder numbers, like Melba Liston's 'Late Date', which would not have been out of place with the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra [the horn players are all Gillespie graduates], along with some more conservative material, such as Jerry Valentine's 'Midriff' [which is a nod to Count Basie's post-war orchestra], giving us an interesting look at how Coltrane handles himself playing in this unusual environment. Session C [tracks 3 & 4] is also a rare glimpse at a young John Coltrane, this time playing his own music in a quintet format [led by Art Blakey and also featuring Donald Byrd, Walter Bishop, Jr., and Wendell Marshall]. Coltrane's highly-praised 'Pristine' would not have been out of place on his landmark 'Blue Train' album, sealed picture sleeve).