Well what can you say about John Coltrane? He is a genius and this album was the first album on which he composed all the songs. To me his Sax playing is the greatest in the jazz world and this album was a gateway for me to start understanding and enjoying jazz. Every song is easy to enjoy and for those of you who don’t really dig jazz then you should try checking this out.

Tracks such as Naima, Giant Steps, Cousin Mary, Countdown and Mr. P.C  are standout tracks for me and not only are they amazing to listen to but are now found in a lot of ‘’Real Books’’ and known to many musicians as Jazz Standards. The players on it are also incredible,bassist Paul Chambers makes me want to throw my bass in the Thames and is basically a virtuoso whose lines sound effortless but I can tell you they most definitely are not.

The album is also seen as a benchmark for jazz players to reach for when working on their improvisational technique. If you  can play over the Coltrane Changes you know you’re doing something right. For me Naima is the one though, such feel in a time when getting your chops out was the in thing and Coltrane would have been wanting to prove himself once again after the release of Soultrane, he went for a relaxed vibe and played so quietly and perfectly. A definite step away from the Bebop days.

For the listener it’s just an amazing album. His sax is so soothing in places but then he ‘’plays’’ and you basically got your ears so tight on your earphones because your just thinking this is insane! For musicians trying to understand jazz: Figure out the chords, transcribe his lines no matter what instrument you play, and one day my friend you will be ridiculous too.

John Coltrane’s – Giant Steps