This collection showcases some of Coltrane's best recordings as a side artist and features collaborations with such jazz greats as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Tadd Dameron, and Art Taylor. Primarily focusing on Coltrane's recordings as side man from 1956 and 1957 on the Prestige, Riverside, and Jazzland labels, it also includes a guest appearance (and legendary tenor saxophone solo) with Miles Davis on the track "Someday My Prince Will Come" (from the 1961 Miles Davis Columbia album of the same title).

The 2-LP vinyl edition contains two extra tracks that are not available on the CD and digital editions: "Nutty" (Originally released on the album Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane and "Birks' Works" (Originally released on the Red Garland Quintet album, Soul Junction, featuring John Coltrane and Donald Byrd). The liner notes were written by Doug Ramsey, winner of the Jazz Journalists Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Ramsey is the author of the award-winning biography Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond. His other awards include two ASCAP Deems Taylors.

A1. Sonny Rollins Quartet - Tenor Madness
A2. Miles Davis And The Modern Jazz Giants - 'Round Midnight
A3. The Miles Davis Quintet - Oleo
B1. The Miles Davis Quintet - Airegin
B2. Tadd Dameron With John Coltrane - Soultrane
B3. Art Taylor - C.T.A.
B4. Thelonious Monk - Monk's Mood
C1. Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane - Epistrophy (Alternate Take)
C2. Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane - Trinkle, Tinkle
C3. Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane - Nutty
C4. The Red Garland Quintet Ft. John Coltrane And Donald Byrd - Birks' Works
D1. The Red Garland Quintet With John Coltrane - Billie's Bounce
D2. Miles Davis - Someday My Prince Will Come