John Coltrane - Ole [Atlantic]

This album is another fine illustration of why Coltrane was always branded as on of the most important jazz musicians in terms of creativity and pushing the boundaries of the genre. This Coltrane outing consists of 3 tracks, the highlight being the intensity of the main track Ole which lasts 18 minutes. Ole has a simple formula for a jazz composition with its repetitive piano chords and percussion which lay down the foundations for the rest to build around.

Coltrane's characteristic 'searching' solos flutter in and out while still allowing George Lane on flute and Freddie Hubbard on trumpet to have their say. 'Aisha', the last track, is also worth checking with its slow pace centred on Coltrane's fluid and stirring sax solo's and Mcoy Tyners sweet sounding piano playing gives it a late night feel. This is an album, like much of Coltrane's work that seems to sound slightly different after every listen adding to its lastability. Neil Fawle

Reggae/Jackie Mittoo - Macka fat [Studio One] (re-release)

Jackie Mittoo was the founding member of the 'Skatalites' who practically invented Ska. After the Skatellites break up in the mid 60's Mittoo became arranger/producer for nearly every Studio One production for a three-year period and it was around this time that 'Macka Fat' was made as a solo project (along with many others). Mittoo's sound is characterised by his keyboard playing, which was influenced by many jazz and funk musicians in America and is prominent in every track on the album. The album has a very roots kind of feel with its slow, laid back pace generated by the bass and rhythm guitar. These create the basis for the keyboard to work around which is controlled and never moves into any self-indulgent solos, always seeming to be the focus for the listener. Not every track is to my tastes on this album but the majority are high quality pieces of reggae. NF