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Workin with the Miles Davis Quintet

It doesn't really get any better than this. Miles had the best working band ever when he had Coltrane, Paul Chambers (my favorite bass player; Coltrane's favorite too), Red Garland on piano, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Philly Joe is the quintessential jazz drummer. Only Max Roach and Papa Joe and a few others are in that supreme category.

He starts off with a version of Richard Rodgers's "It Never Entered My Mind." The best recorded version of that song ever. Coltrane sits out.

Then a version of "Four," an original.

Then Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way." Coltrane outdoes Miles in Sweetness. Then Miles comes back to state the theme.

Next is "The Theme," a brief interlude.

"Trane's Blues" is an 8-minute showcase for Coltrane, who comes in at about 2:16, playing a solid solo, though nothing extraordinary by Trane standards. On "Ahmad's Blues," a tribute to Ahmad Jamal, the horn players sit out. You get to hear one of the best rhythm sections of all time as a piano trio.

Finally, "Half Nelson," a faster, boppy number.

This is not even the best record by this particular group--but it is still better than almost everything else.