'John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman'

John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (Impulse!, 1963) is a must-own for several reasons: It provides the best glance at Coltrane's sensitive side. It captures Johnny Hartman - a singer who never got the recognition he deserved - at his best. And finally, it offers some of the best ever renditions of songs such as "Lush Life," and "My One and Only Love."

Joining John Coltrane and his regular band at the time (pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones) is crooner Johhny Hartman. Hartman was virtually an unknown in jazz in 1963 when this album was released, having recorded with Earl Hines and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1940s, and then enduring several years of near anonymity. Coltrane, on the other hand, was at the peak of his career. His popularity skyrocketed after his late 1950s work with Miles Davis, and he had begun to make a name for himself as one of the most innovative saxophonists on the scene.

The most striking aspect of this album, filled with songs about love's shortcomings, is the simplicity with which both Coltrane and Hartman treat the melodies. Hartman, never much the bebop singer, chose to stay close to original melodies as a general rule, letting his velvety tone and thoughtful phrasing become the focus. Coltrane, who had a few years before recorded Giant Steps (Atlantic, 1959), a document of his technical wizardry, was inspired by Hartman's simplicity. On John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, Coltrane plays as if he is singing. The result is a stunning combination of lyrical and emotional expression.

Coltrane went on to produce many more albums, and developed an often-studied body of experimental work. Hartman never saw quite the same level of fame, and never strayed far from nuanced, romantic jazz. While Coltrane is now considered an American icon, Hartman is unknown to all but jazz enthusiasts. However, on this record, the two talents meet to create a dark and beautiful masterpiece.