John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman (LP)

Johnny Hartman was obviously Coltrane's first choice, to complement Coltrane's tenor perfectly here with his deep, dark voice. The material is carefully selected, including the definitive interpretations of "My One and Only Love" and "Lush Life." McCoy Tyner completes the chords, adds the harmonies and supports the sound of these ballads with feeling and skill, and just not overly sentimental. All the musicians get to the bottom of the deep structure of the songs and set their essential statements to music in the most elegant way.