If you are just getting into jazz, but are hesitant about this Coltrane fella you have heard so much about, Rhino's The Best of John Coltrane might be your platter. Although Rhino has another Best of CD that draws from his Atlantic years, including all six tracks featured here, this compilation was assembled in the days of vinyl records. Thus it is shorter and perhaps a better deal for those who favour a quick sampler over a full-length disc.

Because he recorded for a number of labels, there are a few Best of Coltrane CDs on the market. There is a Best of on the Prestige label which traces his early solo career, as well as a Best of on the Impulse label where he made his final recordings in a free form, avant-garde style. This Best of tracks Coltrane during the middle of his solo career, with his sound fully developed. It is arguably his most popular and accessible period.

The album opens with “My Favorite Things” taken from Coltrane’s album of the same title. It features the extremely versatile McCoy Tyner on piano, bassist Steve Davis, and the explosive Elvin Jones on drums. It also provides a good example of what he and his working quartet can do with this well-known piece from the movie The Sound of Music, as they alternately state the theme then find fresh ways to improvise upon that theme for a good 13 minutes. On this cut, Coltrane trades in his customary tenor saxophone for a soprano sax, resulting in an open and airy tone.

His sidemen on “My Favorite Things” can also be heard on two tracks from Coltrane's Sound—the propulsive “Equinox,” paced by Jones’ rock and roll like drumming, and the subtle “Central Park West,” a cool down number that closes the album.

Three cuts from his seminal album Giant Steps are also included—the title track with a catch-me-if-you-can solo from Coltrane, the melodic and swinging “Cousin Mary,” and the breathtakingly beautiful “Naima,” one of the loveliest ballads in all of jazz. On these three tracks, Coltrane is backed by Tommy Flanagan on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums.

Though I wish the compilers considered taking tracks from more than just three of Coltrane’s Atlantic albums, I find it hard to fault what they did include. After all, the target market of this album was most likely for jazz newbies. Besides, it gives the discriminate listener the opportunity to hear Coltrane backed by two different rhythm sections.

Clocking in at around 40 minutes (hell, Coltrane recorded live versions of “My Favorite Things” that went on longer than that), there is nothing complicated about this album. There are no alternate takes or previously unreleased material. It is exactly as advertised, a well-programmed Best of set. Chances are if you don’t like what you hear, Coltrane is not for you. But if you find yourself getting immersed in this album, it is a sign that the “C” file in your music library will soon become much bigger.

Recommended: Yes