Featuring the Classic Quartet, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones, and recorded at the end of a two-week run at Birdland, the music on this album represents one of the most influential groups in music history both performing in a musical style it had perfected. Unknown until 2004 and unheard until now.

Includes a second disc of alternate and incomplete takes, four of which have never been released. The two CD set comes with a bound booklet featuring session photos by Francis Wolff and an essay by Coltrane expert Ashley Kahn and liner notes by Robert Levin.