Freddie Hubbard: Trumpet; Dewey Johnson: Trumpet; Marion Brown: Alto Saxophone; John Tchicai: Alto Saxophone; Pharoah Sanders; Tenor Saxophone; Archie Shepp: Tenor Saxophone; McCoy Tyner: Piano; Art Davis: Bass; Jimmy Garrison: Bass; Elvin Jones: Drums; Donald Rafael Garrett Bass, Bass Clarinet, Percussion; Bobby Hutcherson: vibes
Ascension: For thirty-five years Ascension has stood as a monument - either as John Coltrane's supreme, ecstatic statement of his musical liberation from chord changes or as his abandonment of all jazz tradition. Here he has reached the summit.
Although the influence of other musicians is evident in his music, it stands apart, now as then, from everything else in jazz. It is of unprecedented force and feeling. Kulu Sé Mama: The twelve months between John Coltrane's A Love Supreme and Meditations were a very productive period. The first half brought forth work mostly by his quartet; the second began Coltrane's experimentation with different-sized ensembles. This unique release comprises sessions from both sides of that evolutionary divide.
"Vigil" is the kind of fiery saxophone-drum duet that was rarely done in the studio. The title track comes from a period when Coltrane started his own recordings, inviting newcomers to join him. With its use of ritual and diverse idioms, underpinned by percussion, it is a striking example of multiculturalism recorded many years before that word was widely used. New Thing At Newport:New Thing At Newport catches Coltrane and Shepp at interesting points in their careers. Coltrane was still expansive, though he was near the end of his term with his quartet. Shepp had learned a great deal from Coltrane, particularly ways to manipulate high notes out of the horn as well as other effects that Adolphe Sax never intended for it. These two sets of music describe a time of challenge in every sense of that word. Fortunately, the long-playing record was available to capture live performances in 1965, as it was not for some of the geniuses who had come before. Having this music on disc may not be the same as being there, but it does let you live this music over and over again.
Meditations:Meditations is about cleaning the mirror into the self, going as far through the looking glass as is possible each time. Making music as naked as the self can be brought to be. The John Coltrane Quartet Plays: Just two months after recording A Love Supreme, John Coltrane began recording an album of outside material heard here on The John Coltrane Quartet Plays. Although the quartet performed many of the selections on this album, the album was tabled for three months. The thrilling expression of avant garde music can be found in these performances of John Coltrane.
