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Review: Last year, an eagle-eyed researcher discovered a genuine slept-on gem in the archives of New York Public Library: a forgotten, unreleased recording of the John Coltrane Quintet playing - alongside bass clarinettist Eric Dolphy, at the iconic Village Gate venue in August 1961. Here, that recording - now freshly mastered - is released to the public for the first time, and as you'd expect it's rather special. Coltrane is at his magical, blistering best throughout, with his band offering similarly impressive support throughout. Highlights include the only live recording yet discovered of the quintet performing 'Africa', an insanely good 10-minute take on Coltrane classic 'Impressions', and Dolphy's star turn on 'When Lights Are Low'. In a word: essential!

Review: Given that he was the Impulse label's most significant star during its formative years, it seems fitting that a newly discovered live recording of John Coltrane should form part of the acclaimed jazz imprint's 60th anniversary celebrations. What we get is a genuine piece of jazz history: an expanded, wonderfully free-wheeling and hugely atmospheric performance of Coltrane's landmark A Love Supreme suite, recorded live at The Penthouse in Seattle on October 2nd, 1965. Coltrane is of course in prime form, as are his regular accompanying players. Significantly, these included Pharoah Sanders, who on that now famous night in Seattle was making his first official appearance as part of Coltrane's group.

Review: John Coltrane made many essential and influential albums over the course of his career, but few were quite as revolutionary at the time of release as 1965's "Ascension". Here presented in stunning new sound thanks to a meticulous re-mastering job, the album saw Coltrane abandon the constraints of the quartet in favour of a larger line-up of musicians and a freestyle approach in which each player was given carte blanche to improvise their own solo in turn. It was revolutionary at the time and remains a stunningly loose, ever-changing work that rewards repeat listens. Famously, two different editions, featuring slightly different recordings, were issued back in 1965; this CD edition includes both 40-minute works.