John Coltrane - Coltrane Jazz - Vinyl record - 1st Mono pressing - 1961

1. General Information

Artist: John Coltrane
Title: Coltrane Jazz
Label: Atlantic
Catalog Number: 1354
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Country: US
Released: 1961
Genre: Jazz (Hard Bop)

2. Description

Recorded between late 1959 and 1960, Coltrane Jazz serves as a fascinating bridge in Coltrane’s discography. While "Village Blues" features his classic quartet (Tyner, Davis, Jones), the rest of the album features the rhythm section of the Wynton Kelly Trio (Kelly, Chambers, Cobb). This album showcases Coltrane’s evolving "sheets of sound" technique and his mastery of complex harmonic structures immediately following the landmark Giant Steps.

3. Condition

This copy has been professionally graded and encapsulated by VMG (Vintage Media Grading) with an overall grade of 8.5 (NM/EX).

Vinyl: 9.0 (Outstanding preservation with minimal play wear)
Label: 9.5 (Near perfect)
Spine: 8.0
Cover: 7.0 (Shows light aging and shelf wear consistent with its 60+ year age)
Notes: The record is preserved in a "Vinyl In Sleeve" configuration within the VMG case to ensure no further wear.

4. Notes for Collectors

FIRST PRESSING: This is the genuine first US mono pressing.
Label Variation: Features the original Red/White/Purple labels.
Authenticity Marks: Crucially, this copy features the "No R" symbol above the fan logo, which is the definitive identifier for the earliest 1961 pressings. Additionally, the word "Atlantic" is not written vertically within the fan logo.
Investment Grade: Professionally graded jazz originals from the early 60s, particularly those featuring Coltrane in Mono, are among the most stable and sought-after investments in the vinyl market.

5. Matrix/Labels

Side A Matrix: 11697 B-D 3 AT @W
Side B Matrix: 11697 A-C 3 AT @W
Mastering: "AT" suffix indicates mastering at Atlantic Studios.
Labels: Atlantic 1354 (Mono), Bullseye/Fan logo without registered trademark.