In 1956 Miles Davis wanted to end his contract with Prestige records (he already signed with Columbia), but he needed to make four more records. So in collaboration with producer Rudy van Gelder he did them all in just two recording days. The first of these, Cookin’ was released in 1957. The last, Steamin’, in 1961, when Miles Davis was already in the employ of Columbia.
The series as a whole is interesting for the lovers of hard bop, because it shows a very early Coltrane, bursting with ideas, although not yet at the height of his powers. Also, Miles Davis was a heroin addict since 1949. He picked up the habit while working with Charlie Parker, and decided to quit cold turkey in 1954. He went through hell to do it, but it made his playing style sharper and more focussed. Coltrane on the other hand, was still using in 1956. These four albums were made exactly at that moment. Coltrane would quit using one year later, and leave Davis’ Quintet in 1960.