John Coltrane: The Atlantic Years—In Mono

"Intense sonic geometry": John Coltrane, as seen on the cover of his 1960 landmark Giant Steps (photo: Lee Friedlander)

Let’s assume there’s zero chance you’re considering the purchase of a set like this one-six monaural Coltrane albums, sans extras-unless you already own the records in another form. Which is to say, stereo form. Forking over the cash then becomes a matter of hearing something new in music you’ve likely heard a lot of, gaining new insight into Trane, as it were.

A point in this set’s favor: The material is sourced from master tapes used just once previously, to press up the albums in the first place. This is what you likely would have heard if you purchased Giant Steps in 1960 and dropped that knotty platter onto your turntable, which probably would have played in mono only.