Is The Cats a good place to start with John Coltrane?

Yes, The Cats is recommended as a starting point for new John Coltrane listeners. Exploratory harmonies intertwine with vibrant rhythms, creating a rich tapestry of sound that captures Coltrane's innovative spirit. Released in December 1959, The Cats followed Coltrane's groundbreaking album Giant Steps, showcasing his evolution as an artist. At this point, he was transitioning into an influential figure in jazz, pushing boundaries with modal structures and free improvisation.

The Cats works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and gradual builds and payoffs.

How many songs are on The Cats?

The Cats has 5 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

The Cats

John Coltrane · 1959

42 min · 5 tracks · jazz

Exploratory harmonies intertwine with vibrant rhythms, creating a rich tapestry of sound that captures Coltrane's innovative spirit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Minor Mishap Start here — This opening track establishes a playful yet complex interplay between instruments, demonstrating Coltrane's ability to blend spontaneity with structured composition.
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How Long Has This Been Going On? — The piece showcases Coltrane’s lyrical saxophone lines juxtaposed against intricate harmonies, revealing his emotional depth while still maintaining an avant-garde edge.
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Solacium — With its expansive length and exploratory nature, this track exemplifies Coltrane's mastery of modal jazz and his willingness to stretch musical boundaries.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong improvisation and varied tempos, reflecting Coltrane's innovative approach to jazz.

What we noticed

The first track features a rapid tempo and intricate interplay between the saxophone and piano, establishing a lively atmosphere.
Each subsequent track varies in tempo and mood, with 'Eclypso' introducing a more relaxed groove before returning to faster-paced pieces.
Improvisation is prominent throughout, with extended solos that showcase Coltrane's technical prowess and emotional expression.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Solidified Coltrane's reputation after 'Giant Steps', showcasing his innovative spirit.
Themes: modal jazz exploration· avant-garde improvisation· 1950s jazz evolution
Moods: Energetic· Anthemic
Career context: Released in December 1959, The Cats followed Coltrane's groundbreaking album Giant Steps, showcasing his evolution as an artist. At this point, he was transitioning into an influential figure in jazz, pushing boundaries with modal structures and free improvisation.
Stylistic neighbors: Pharoah Sanders· Ornette Coleman· Albert Ayler