It's hard to beat this collection of ballads. Coltrane is brilliant, as usual. On this album he steps back slightly, letting Hartman's deep-throated vocals take center stage. The duo are joined by McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. All six tracks are finely crafted, but stand-outs include "Lush Life" and "Dedicated to You."

Harold Check