Fresh new addition. Picked up the package today. Some sun bleaching on the jacket, but the vinyl sounds as new. While I’m listening to this album now, I’m a bit baffled by myself for not acquiring this masterpiece on vinyl earlier, as I’ve had the stereo deck now for over a year. Better late than never I guess.
Two of my favourite jazz musicians grace this later Impulse title, namely Coltrane and Rashied Ali. A powerful duo recording displaying both musicians mastery and the outstanding musical connection they shared together. The album was recorded in February of 1967. Coltrane died later that year in July. It was posthumously released in September of 1974. Four planetary tunes, all outstanding. My favourite is probably the second cut on the first side named ”Venus”, featuring Ali on brushes. His rhythmical and intricate approach is so masterfully executed. He was a powerful drummer but not in that he bashes the skins, but more in that he plays very dynamic, applying a flurry of propulsive hits while also using his trickery with more subtle and delicate notes.
Coltrane just flows seamlessly through the proceedings, drawing from a seemingly never ending well of ideas. His mastery is on full display here, becoming more alive than ever in this stripped down setting. He plays like it’s his last day on earth. That he needs to get the last creative breath, every last celestial idea, out of his system before his meets his maker. That palpable sense of urgency makes this one of my absolute favourite Coltrane recordings. A supernova in his discography.