Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ravi Coltrane: From The Round Box

Ravi Coltrane: From The Round Box

By Jim Santella
November 1, 2000
Sign in to view read count

With his forward-looking quintet, Ravi Coltrane explores acoustic jazz that is rich in overtones, characterized by lush harmony and centered on lyricism. Trumpeter Ralph Alessi shares the front line position alongside Coltrane; half the numbers are their originals. Favoring a Third Stream approach over swingers or fiery emotion, the quintet mellows some in both scope and intensity.

Wayne Shorter’s “Blues à la Carte” puts the ensemble in a festive samba mood as trumpet, tenor saxophone and pianist Geri Allen all step forward with exotic solo stretches. Ornette Coleman’s “The Blessing” offers the best opportunity for the unit to catch fire, but Coltrane intentionally restrains the ensemble. Leading with the skills of a master technician, he moves through seamless, fluid phrases designed to emphasize the ease with which these five artists can relate. Smooth and legato, the ensemble works in clear circles through controlled emotion. Coltrane has rounded off the corners — smoothed over any rough edges to his latest project. The result is a session that captures only one aspect of jazz’s modern mainstream: that which is based on familiar harmonies and friendly timbral blends.

Personnel

Ravi Coltrane

saxophone, tenor

Album information

Title: From The Round Box | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Freeworld

< Previous
Gunther Schuller Turns 75!

Next >
Meet Lynne Arriale

Comments

About Ravi Coltrane

Instrument: Saxophone, tenor

Concerts

Jun 3 Mon

Ravi Coltrane

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN

Jun 3 Mon

Ravi Coltrane

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN

Jun 7 Fri

Ravi Coltrane Trio

Keystone Korner Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Jun 7 Fri

Ravi Coltrane Trio

Keystone Korner Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Jun 8 Sat

Ravi Coltrane Trio

Keystone Korner Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Jun 8 Sat

Ravi Coltrane Trio

Keystone Korner Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Jun 9 Sun

Ravi Coltrane Trio

Keystone Korner Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Jun 9 Sun

Ravi Coltrane Trio

Keystone Korner Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.