The Cats was released in December 1959 on New Jazz, a subsidiary of Prestige Records. During a stay in Detroit in the mid-1950s, John Coltrane met pianist Tommy Flanagan. Along with drummer Louis Hayes, bassist Doug Watkins, and guitarist Kenny Burrell, the two participated in an energetic session with trumpeter Idrees Sulieman.
Although he became one of the most appreciated jazz pianists, Tommy Flanagan performed mainly as a sideman during this era: He was appreciated by his fellow musicians, but not recognized by a wider audience for his outstanding abilities.
This album allows the pianist to shine, as it contains almost exclusively pieces penned by Flanagan. Coltrane, Burrell and Idrees Sulieman were exquisite, sensitive soloists, and it is a pleasure to hear them in concert with Tommy and his rhythm section.
This 180-gram reissue was cut by Kevin Gray from the original analog tapes and pressed at RTI, and comes in a tip-on jacket with obi.
- Minor mishap
- How long has this been going on?
- Eclypso
- Solacium
- Tommy’s time