It comprises recordings from sessions for Blue Note and United Artists Records with Coltrane as a sideman for Paul Chambers, Sonny Clark, Johnny Griffin, and Cecil Taylor.

These recordings were issued respectively on their Whims of Chambers, Sonny's Crib, A Blowin' Session, and Hard Driving Jazz albums.

"Trane's Blues" had been issued on the compilation High Step in 1975, previously known as "John Paul Jones" and named after himself, the bass player Chambers, and the drummer Philly Joe Jones.

In this case, the Big Four conglomerate EMI continued that earlier practice.

In review for AllMusic, Stephen Cook wrote: "Trane's Blues will no doubt be of interest to fans looking beyond the tenor great's extensive Prestige, Atlantic, and Impulse!