Africa/Brass, released in 1961, was John Coltranes first album for Impulse! Records and a turning point in hisrecorded output. Recorded at Rudy Van Gelders studio and produced by Creed Taylor, the project expandedColtranes working quartet into a large ensemble, pairing his searching tenor and soprano saxophone with dense,brass-heavy orchestrations by Cal Massey. Arrangements by Eric Dolphy and McCoy Tyner helped shape thealbums distinctive sound, weaving tuba, euphonium, French horns, and more into a powerful backdrop forColtranes improvisations. With key contributions from trumpeters Booker Little and Freddie Hubbard, bassistReggie Workman, drummer Elvin Jones, and others, Africa/Brass reframed the idea of a big band. One of the mostimportant early Impulse! releases, Africa/Brass announced Coltranes arrival on the house that Trane built withradical clarity. Verve Acoustic Sounds Series is remastered from the original analog tapes and pressed on 180gvinyl.

Track Listing

1.Africa, 1.Greensleeves 2.Blues Minor

street date 4/24/26