The album 'Dakar' was released in 1963 by Prestige Records, but the original recordings date from April 20, 1957. The sessions were produced by Bob Weinstock and took place at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. The album compiles takes from a session led by baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, in which Coltrane participated as tenor saxophonist.
The title 'Dakar' refers to the capital of Senegal, reflecting the African influence in jazz at the time. The lineup includes John Coltrane (tenor sax), Pepper Adams (baritone sax), Mal Waldron (piano), Doug Watkins (bass), and Louis Hayes (drums). The album was released posthumously in the context of growing interest in Coltrane after his success with Impulse!.
Although not originally conceived as a Coltrane album, 'Dakar' is valued by collectors as a document of his early period on Prestige. Critics have noted that the album shows Coltrane in transition toward his more personal style, with intense solos and notable interaction with Adams.