Atlantic · in the Kissa Kissa racks
Giant Steps
| Recorded | May 4 & Dec 2, 1959 |
|---|---|
| Label | Atlantic |
| Released | 1959 |
| Personnel | 6 credited players |
| Discogs | master 32236 |
The record
Cut weeks after his work on Kind of Blue, this session built its title track around a chord cycle that became a rite of passage for improvisers ever since. Flanagan's famously hesitant solo on the opener says everything about how far ahead of the room Coltrane already was.
Session personnel
- Paul Chambers — bass
- Art Taylor — drums
- Jimmy Cobb — drums
- Tommy Flanagan — piano
- Wynton Kelly — piano
- John Coltrane — tenor saxophone
Contemporary reception
Emerging from the confines of the Miles Davis book, Coltrane aptly demonstrates why he has become the major influence on his instrument (with Rollins). He plays seven of his own compositions, slashing, biting, tearing off intense statements. His impact is overwhelming and he never ceases to amaze harmonically. Rhythm support is impeccable, by such stalwarts as Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers and Art Taylor. Album will achieve immediate jazz acceptance.
Pressings
Mono and stereo both sit at 1960 here: the earliest on file are US Atlantic's stereo SD 1311 with bullseye labels and the mono 1311 with deep-groove black labels. A non-deep-groove black-label mono is listed too, so the label ring is what to check. UK and Australian copies came on London as LTZ-K 15197. Atlantic repressed through 1968; Europe took over with gatefold reissues from 1976. For new vinyl the 2008 45 RPM box (R1 512581) and the Kevin Gray-remastered mono Rhino RM1 1311 are the serious ones.
Showing the first pressing, audiophile reissues and copies carrying a collector marker, out of 210 pressings on file.
| 1960 | Atlantic · 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono, Deep Groove Black Labels earliest on file · deep groove |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Rhino Records (2) · RM1 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono, 180g, Gatefold Kevin Gray remaster · gatefold |
| — | Atlantic · 75203 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, 180g Kevin Gray remaster |
| 1960 | Atlantic · SD 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono, Deep Groove · deep groove |
| 1960 | Atlantic · 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress, Mono, Bullseye Labels · deep groove; laminated sleeve |
| 1960 | Atlantic · 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Misprint, Repress, Mono · deep groove |
| 1960 | Atlantic · 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress, Mono, Deep Groove, Laminated Cover · deep groove; laminated sleeve |
| 1960 | London Records · LTZ-K 15197 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono · deep groove; laminated sleeve |
| 1968 | Atlantic · SD 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · deep groove |
| 1968 | Atlantic · SD 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · deep groove |
| — | Atlantic · 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono · deep groove; laminated sleeve |
| 1960 | Atlantic · SD 1311 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Bullseye Labels |
| 1960 | London Records · LTZ-K 15197 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono |
| 1960 | Atlantic · ATL-EP 80.020 — Vinyl, 7", EP, Mono · laminated sleeve |
Follow the players
Paul Chambers also plays on
Art Taylor also plays on
Jimmy Cobb also plays on