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John Coltrane: Kulu Se Mama
by Derek Taylor
John Coltrane's reverence of African culture is well documented both in his music and in the many accounts of his life, both musical and personal. His own recordings and as well as his earlier work as a sideman are rife with examples of his Afrocentric leanings. The title piece of this disc is arguably the most African-inflected of them all- a nearly twenty minute, drum-driven prayer to the Nubian spirits that blossoms like a field of the most pungent Dahomian ...
Continue ReadingJohn Coltrane: Interstellar Space
by Derek Taylor
Arguments abound as to when John Coltrane reached his creative zenith. There are listeners who look upon his Giant Steps period, documented through a string of recordings on the Altantic label as his most fertile period. Others with freer leanings point to his so-called Late Period as the source of the most musical promise and joy. There are even those who contend that his life ended before his artistic apogee was attained. Preferences run the gamut of his career but ...
Continue ReadingJohn Coltrane: Impressions
by Derek Taylor
For a cross-section of Coltrane’s muse circa the early 1960s few albums are as representative as Impressions. The disc gathers performances from both concert and studio dates and offers an assortment of compositions that together illustrate just how multifaceted the master could be. Though none of the material on this most recent edition is unissued and majority is available on a pair of recent box sets ( Complete 1961Village Vanguard Sessions and Complete Classic Quartet ) this single disc still ...
Continue ReadingJohn Coltrane: Ascension
by Derek Taylor
There are a number of pivotal recordings that fostered the early development of free jazz but Coltrane's Ascension remains at the apex. Building on precepts first posited through Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz Coltrane constructed an edifice of unfettered collective expression that still manages to confound as many listeners as it convinces. My first experience with this music was accompanied by emotions of skepticism and even dislike. I'd read and heard plenty of its importance and influence, but after the opening ...
Continue ReadingJohn Coltrane: Soultrane
by Douglas Payne
Tenor Titan John Coltrane (1926-67) made his solo recording debut on Prestige in 1956 and during his two and a half years with the label, sat in on an incredible 25 sessions. In 1958 alone, he'd recorded eight albums for the label and Prestige had enough material to continue releasing new Coltrane material into 1964! He never slowed down, leaving Prestige to record prolifically for Atlantic. Then, of course, there were the truckloads of significant records made for ...
Continue ReadingThe John Coltrane Memorial: Coltrane
by C. Michael Bailey
Academic Freedom. The John Coltrane Memorial Concert was inaugurated on July 17, 1977, the 10th anniversary of the saxophonist’s death. It was originally organized by percussionist Syd Smart, bassist Hayes Burnet, and Saxophonist Leonard Brown. The reception of this idea was so great that it developed into an annual event on the Boston music scene. The 14th Annual concert was captured by Greenline Records, a teaching label associated with Northeastern University in Boston. As John Coltrane is among only a ...
Continue ReadingJohn Coltrane: Coltrane's Sound
by Douglas Payne
Something about John Coltrane's brief but prodigious Atlantic period (1959-61) reminds me of my hometown, Pittsburgh - even though none of these sessions were recorded there, nor were any of these brilliant musicians from the Steel town. There's something honest, soulful, down-home and deeply touching in this music. Always takes me back; makes me miss Pittsburgh too. Spin Coltrane's Sound and even non-jazz fans sense something. It's a warm, human sound that takes listeners somewhere they like to ...
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