In 1958, Taylor recorded with saxophonist John Coltrane four pieces wich are now available on this CD entitled HARD DRIVING JAZZ. In a single studio session, these two visionaries laid down material that carried jazz into completely new directions along the ’60s. The material contains traces of swing and bop, but Coltrane and Taylor’s solos display their commitment to play beyond the songs melodic parameters.

Bonus album LOOKING AHEAD! is pianist Cecil Taylor’s second studio album. It was recorded in 1958, when Taylor was already a controversial jazz scene figure. Earl Griffith (vibraphone) is in this record the fourth member of a quartet that includes Taylor, Dennis Charles (drums) and Buell Neidlinger (bass).

01 Double Clutching (Chuk Israel) 8:24
02 Like Someone in Love (Van Heusen-Burke) 8:10
03 Shifting Down (Kenny Dorham) 10:40
04 Just Friends (Klenner-Lewis) 6:16
05 Luyah! The Glorious Step (Cecil Taylor) 6:29
06 African Violets (Cecil Taylor & Earl Griffith) 5:15
07 Of What (Cecil Taylor) 8:20
08 Wallering (Cecil Taylor) 5:25
09 Toll (Cecil Taylor) 7:43
10 Excursion On A Wobbly Rail (Cecil Taylor) 9:02

Cecil Taylor, piano on all tracks, plus
1-4 HARD DRIVING JAZZ: John Coltrane tenor sax; Louis Hayes drums; Kenny Dorham trumpet; Chuck Israels bass
Recording Date: October 1958

5-10 LOOKING AHEAD: Earl Griffith vibraphone; Buell Neidlinger bass; Dennis Charles drums
Recorded under the supervision of Nat Hentoff in New York City at Nola’s Penthouse Studios, June 9, 1958

Compiled and manufactured by Mad About Records