Paul Chambers & John Coltrane – High Step (Vinyl 2LP)

Paul Chambers & John Coltrane – High Step is a double LP from Blue Note's 1970s reissue series, also released in Germany in 1975 (cat. no. BST 84 481/82 XC). It collects 1956 recordings by bassist Paul Chambers, almost all featuring John Coltrane on tenor saxophone: the complete album "Chambers' Music" (Los Angeles, March 1956), four pieces from "Whims of Chambers" (Van Gelder Studio, September 21, 1956) and an April 20, 1956 session from Boston whose tracks "High Step" and "Nixon, Dixon and Yates Blues" were first released here. Players include Philly Joe Jones, Kenny Drew, Horace Silver, Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell, Curtis Fuller and Pepper Adams. This copy is the 1975 German edition in a gatefold sleeve.

Pressing details

• Label / Cat. no.: Blue Note BST 84 481/82 XC
• Format: Vinyl 2LP, compilation, gatefold
• Pressing: German original
• Country: Germany
• Year of this pressing: 1975 (recorded 1956)
• Genre: Jazz, Hard bop

Condition

• Condition: Second hand
• Media: NM-
• Cover: VG+

Graded to Goldmine standard (see Vinyl Grading). The images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Dexterity (Charlie Parker)
2. Stablemates (Benny Golson)
3. Easy to Love (Cole Porter)
4. Visitation (Paul Chambers)

Side B

1. John Paul Jones (Trane's Blues)
2. Eastbound
3. Nita (John Coltrane)
4. Just for the Love (John Coltrane)

Side C

1. We Six (Donald Byrd)
2. Omicron (Donald Byrd)
3. High Step (Benny Harris)

Side D

1. Trane's Strain
2. Nixon, Dixon and Yates Blues

Personnel

March 1956 (side A and B1–B2, Los Angeles): Paul Chambers (bass), John Coltrane (tenor saxophone, not on Visitation), Kenny Drew (piano), Philly Joe Jones (drums).

September 21, 1956 (B3–C2, Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack): Paul Chambers (bass), John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Donald Byrd (trumpet), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Horace Silver (piano), Philly Joe Jones (drums).

April 20, 1956 (C3–D2, Boston): Paul Chambers (bass), John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone), Philly Joe Jones (drums); Roland Alexander (piano) on Trane's Strain.

FAQ

Is this the original pressing?
The tracks date from 1956; this compilation was first released in the US in the 1970s (Blue Note BN-LA451-H2). This copy is the 1975 German edition with its own catalogue number BST 84 481/82 XC.

What makes this double LP special?
It brings together Coltrane's recordings with Paul Chambers from a year in which both played in the Miles Davis Quintet, and it includes two previously unreleased tracks, "High Step" and "Nixon, Dixon and Yates Blues".

What does Media NM- / Cover VG+ mean?
NM- (Near Mint minus) for the record means close to new with at most minimal signs of use. VG+ (Very Good Plus) for the sleeve means light wear. All grades are explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

Do you have more John Coltrane records?
Yes, for example John Coltrane With The Red Garland Trio – Traneing In, John Coltrane – A Love Supreme and John Coltrane – My Favorite Things. More titles are in our Jazz collection.