John Coltrane: 1960-1964 Mono (Rhino High Fidelity—2025) (6LP Boxed Set)

This very attractive, bright red linen-covered box set caught my eye. Not least because it is covering some of the greatest John Coltrane Atlantic albums in wonderful mono (I tend to gravitate to mono jazz reissues).

These six LPs are from 1960-1964, a flowering of his giant talent from that time period. Included are some of his most famous albums, including Giant Steps (1960), Coltrane Jazz (1961), My Favourite Things (1961), Olé Coltrane (1961), Coltrane Plays The Blues (1962) and Coltrane’s Sound (1964).

They are released with very special care by Rhino High Fidelity using Kevin Gray to remaster the original AAA mono tapes and pressed at 33 rpm on 180-Gram vinyl at Optimal. They are housed in the aforementioned Sierra Linen Book Cloth Wrapped, Foil Stamped Slipcase and are presented in heavyweight glossy gatefold jackets, and each features wonderful, rare alternate French covers with the original U.S. art in the gatefolds. The LPs also feature rare photos and detailed liner notes by Syd Schwartz. Typical of Rhino High Fidelity, each LP comes with an OBI. They are numbered and limited to 2,000 copies.

When I first saw the luxurious box with seminal mono recordings and those intriguing French covers, my eyes bulged a little. For the past few years, I have not accepted press copies, preferring to purchase my own and have the freedom to review what I like with no looming deadlines. The record companies I have dealt with over the many years have never pressured me for a positive review—they always play by the Audiophilia rules; scrupulously honest and fair. No need for pressure if you have a good product.

However, this set is USD 250, plus shipping, plus Canadian Customs duties, totalling CAD 450. So I relented and contacted Rhino’s PR firm—a lovely young lady who has always been very accommodating sent back “sorry, Anthony, no press box sets left.” Damn! I was late asking, though. But she was happy to send me individual copies of all six records.

But the complete box set looked so beautiful, with those sexy French covers. I splurged! Silly, I know, but you know record guys and FOMO. I know some sets are still available on the Rhino website, but for how much longer? If you’re a Coltrane fan and love that mono immediacy and directness, grab it.

To add insult to injury, I already owned three of the albums in good editions, Giant Steps on a fairly dynamic, quiet Japanese pressing, and My Favourite Things, the same. I already had 2023’s Rhino High Fidelity Coltrane’s Sound mastered by Kevin Gray using the stereo tapes. So only three of the albums were new to me. Still, after a week of listening, I have not had one regret purchasing this masterpiece of a box set.

Coltrane began his Atlantic recording career shortly after playing on Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue. As on that record and the many others he recorded for Prestige and Impulse, he doesn’t put a foot wrong. His tone and “sheets of sound” are in full bloom, and his legendary soloing will have you shaking your head at the logic and coolness of it. This is groundbreaking work at Atlantic, and his ingenuity shines on all six albums. As such, from the opening virtuosity and unique chord progressions on Giant Steps, you know you’re in for the ride of your life.

The consistency of the playing is reflected in the sound. Original engineers, sidemen and studios are as consistent as Kevin Gray’s remastering. Each record has an immediacy and timbral accuracy that is very effective both viscerally and emotionally.

Recording information for each record:

Giant Steps, Atlantic Studios, engineered by Tom Dowd, produced by Nesuhi Ertegün. With sidemen including Cedar Walton – piano, Paul Chambers – bass, Lex Humphries – drums, Tommy Flanagan – piano, Wynton Kelly – piano, Paul Chambers – bass, and Jimmy Cobb – drums.

Coltrane Jazz, Atlantic Studios, engineered by Tom Dowd, produced by Nesuhi Ertegün. With sidemen including Cedar Walton – piano, Paul Chambers – bass, Lex Humphries – drums, Tommy Flanagan – piano, Wynton Kelly – piano, Paul Chambers – bass, Jimmy Cobb – drums, McCoy Tyner - piano, Steve Davis—bass and Elvin Jones - drums.

My Favourite Things, Atlantic Studios, engineered by Tom Dowd, produced by Nesuhi Ertegün. With sidemen McCoy Tyner - piano, Steve Davis—bass and Elvin Jones - drums.

Olé Coltrane, A & R Studios, engineered by Phil Ramone, produced by Nesuhi Ertegün.with sidemen Freddie Hubbard - trumpet, Eric Dolphy - flute, Reggie Workman - bass, Art Davis - bass and Elvin Jones - drums.

Coltrane Plays the Blues, Atlantic Studios, engineered by Tom Dowd, produced by Nesuhi Ertegün. With sidemen McCoy Tyner - piano, Steve Davis—bass and Elvin Jones - drums.

Coltrane’s Sound, Atlantic Studios, engineered by Tom Dowd, produced by Nesuhi Ertegün. With sidemen McCoy Tyner - piano, Steve Davis—bass and Elvin Jones - drums.

Sound

In general, each record, with the same engineers, studio and producer for the most part, makes each of the six records incredibly uniform. I’m not sure how much remastering had to be done, but the mono sound is incredibly dynamic and vibrant with the musicians spread evenly across the stage, with the great man front and center. Most importantly, Coltrane’s sound is captured with all the nuances and power available from him. Drums and bass are definitely secondary instruments, but they drive the rhythm. When you have that juggernaut of a frontman, how hard do you have to drive? And when it’s Dolphy, Hubbard or any other sideman’s chance to shine, shine they do with equally vibrant sound and timbral accuracy.

Buggered if I could choose a best recording, they all have much the same sonic signature. Marvellous mono. And when Coltrane switches between tenor and soprano, the significant differences in his tone and approach are heard to perfection. All the pianists excel, but McCoy Tyner’s piano playing rings like heavenly bells in the upper register.

From what I could hear, the mono tapes were in good shape, only the odd piano frequency shout when driving hard in the upper register. And don’t forget for purists, Olé Coltrane is a mono fold-down. It sounds great, but Phil Ramone only recorded it in stereo (thanks for this information, Tony).

So, an easy recommendation from me. Even at the price and (good) doubles of three, I'm so glad I purchased the set. It looks and sounds glorious.

Release date, Nov 25, 2025.

Track Listing

Giant Steps (1960)
Side One
1. “Giant Steps”
2. “Cousin Mary”
3. “Countdown”
4. “Spiral”

Side Two
1. “Syeeda’s Song Flute”
2. “Naima”
3. “Mr. P.C.”

Coltrane Jazz (1961)
Side One
1. “Little Old Lady”
2. “Village Blues”
3. “My Shining Hour”
4. “Fifth House”

Side Two
5. “Harmonique”
6. “Like Sonny”
7. “I’ll Wait And Pray”
8. “Some Other Blues”

My Favorite Things (1961)
Side One
1. “My Favorite Things”
2. “Everytime We Say Goodbye”

Side Two
1. “Summertime”
2. “But Not For Me”

Olé Coltrane (1961)
Side One
1. “Olé”

Side Two
1. “Dahomey Dance”
2. “Aisha”

Coltrane Plays The Blues (1962)
Side One
1. “Blues To Elvin”
2. “Blues To Bechet”
3. “Blues To You”

Side Two
1. “Mr. Day”
2. “Mr. Syms”
3. “Mr. Knight”

Coltrane’s Sound (1964)
Side One
1. “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes”
2. “Central Park West”
3. “Liberia”

Side Two
1. “Body And Soul”
2. “Equinox”
3. “Satellite”