John Coltrane, artwork by Michael Symonds
John Coltrane had already made folks sit up and take notice as a member of Miles Daviss quintet, but the album Blue Train established him as a first-rate leader and composer. The title track is the classic cut, but Moments Notice would be the standout on any other album. The melody is bright yet blue, and the band is tight. Everybody but Jones takes a solo, and everybody has something to say. These are what would become known as the early years, but Coltranes expressive, enveloping sound has already developed. His first solo swerves all over the place but stays on track, arriving at its destination right on time.