This two-fer combines drummer
Elvin Jones' 1963 release
Illumination and
Dear John C., which came out two years later. Originally, these LPs were released separately on Impulse.
Illumination is actually credited to
Jones and
Coltrane quartet alumni
Jimmy Garrison and, as it states on the cover, features pianist
McCoy Tyner. The music is a bit more “out” than
Dear John C., which can be attributed to the addition of the innovative avant-garde musicians
Sonny Simmons and
Prince Lasha.
Dear John C. is a laid-back date featuring alto saxophonist
Charlie Mariano, with
Roland Hanna, and
Elvin’s older brother,
Hank Jones, splitting piano duties. The music has been remastered and, while there are no bonus tracks or new liner notes, Impulse had the good taste to restore the original packaging: front and back cover art and liner notes.