Representing a sensible way of mining the archive and sticking to tried and tested names this compilation contains every note of Coltrane Blue Note lays claim to, apart from his one date for the label as a leader, Blue Train. So, as well as his appearances on Blue Note sets fronted by Paul Chambers, Sonny Clark and the Johnny Griffin, A Blowing Session, which also includes Hank Mobley, we get further, early Chambers-led tracks recorded in Los Angeles and Boston (the latter produced by the legendary Tom Wilson). It's striking how much Coltrane's confidence and his tone both expanded during this period of exactly 18 months. And, especially with the actual Blue Note albums produced by Alfred Lion and recorded by Rudy Van Gelder (born November 1924, by the way), the remarkable energy and expertise shown by all concerned is almost more impressive than Trane's own contributions, strong as they are. Which is a way of saying that, though this material might be somewhat peripheral to the Coltrane saga, it's still a joy to hear.