Wheelin’ and Dealin

Saxophonist and famed jazz flutist Frank Wess (a former member of the Count Basie Band) joined saxophonist and free jazz icon Coltrane and others for this fascinating 1958 session, which also features tenor Paul Quinichette. Rather than aiming for perfection, this four-song album captures the thrill of a live concert in which the saxophonists compete against each other - along with Coltrane regular and seasoned counterpoint player Mal Waldron on piano. Art Taylor (drums) and Doug Watkins (bass) complete the rhythm section.
In addition to the title tracks, the virtuosic ‘Wheelin'’ and the spirited ‘Dealin'’, listeners will be enthralled by the 15-minute springtime excursion ‘Robbin's Nest’. Coltrane is the obvious main attraction here, but Progrography notes, ‘The session is interesting for the attention it pays to Frank Wess.’

Original Jazz Classics was launched in 1982 under Fantasy Records and revitalised in 2023 with a focus on audiophile reissues of landmark jazz recordings. With over 850 titles reissued to date from the seminal catalogues of Prestige, Riverside, Galaxy, Contemporary, Jazzland, Milestone and others, OJC remains a trusted source for jazz discovery and rediscovery.Since its reintroduction, the series has garnered much critical acclaim, with Record Collector Magazine declaring, ‘The sound is out of this world.’ Tracking Angle described the OJC reissue of Thelonious Monk's ‘Monk's Music’ as “remarkable” and ‘the best-sounding pressing’ of the album to date. Absolute Sound raved about the stereo reissue of Mal Waldron's ‘The Quest’, noting that it ‘sounds fabulous - full-bodied, immediate and crackling with energy’. Jazzwise praised the ‘unrivalled’ quality of the series, describing the reissues as “exceptional” and with ‘stunningly eloquent’ sound. Qobuz emphasised the remastering and raved that it ‘breathes vibrant life into the original tapes’.