Idrees Sulieman, John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Tommy Flanagan – The Cats (LP, Craft)

The Cats was released in December 1959 on New Jazz, a subsidiary of Prestige Records. While spending time in Detroit in the mid-1950s, John Coltrane met pianist Tommy Flanagan. Fellow localsdrummer Louis Hayes, bassist Doug Watkins, and guitarist Kenny Burrelljoined the two, along with trumpeter Idrees Sulieman, for an energetic session. Though he became one of the most highly valued jazz pianists, Tommy Flanagans appearances during this era were primarily as a sideman: well-appreciated by his fellow musicians, but not recognized for his display of superior abilities by a wider audience. This album let the pianist shine, containing nearly all Flanagan-penned tunes. Coltrane, Burrell, and Idrees Sulieman were choice, empathic soloists, and it is a delight to hear them interact with Tommy and his rhythm section. This 180-gram reissue was cut from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray and pressed at RTI, and comes packaged in a tip-on jacket with Obi.