Been searching high and low for this masterpiece for several years but never found the coveted 1st pressing with the single logo box and the ringwear-prone cover in good condition. The search is now officially over as I’ve found this lovely example. The cover is clean beyond belief. Never seen one in this kind of shape before.
The music is quintessential 70’s spiritual jazz in it’s very best iteration. Alice Coltrane’s third album as a leader. Recorded in the home studio in the basement of the Coltrane family home in Dix Hills, New York. We have a stellar lineup with Coltrane joined by Joe Henderson and Pharoah Sanders both on tenor and alto flute, Ron Carter on double bass and Ben Riley on drums.
All the compositions were written by Coltrane. The title track is a long one, clocking in at around 14 minutes. Love the theme with it’s marching beat and brooding melody. Henderson and Sanders play tenor on this one and they get ample space to strech out. Joe is in the left channel and Pharoah in the right. I really enjoy the contrast between these two players. Alice’s solo is a lovely one as well with her piano releasing cascading notes that are as meditative as they are creative.
The second tune is played in trio format and showcases Coltrane’s lovely approach to the piano, with the blues meeting spiritual ideas. Riley plays the brushes and Carter lays down a thick and warm bass foundation.
Then we have ”Blue Nile” which features the two wind players on alto flute and the leader on harp. It makes for a beautiful symbiosis and delivers an overarching gentleness to the music. The harp can be very soothing with it’s waves of notes flowing in a steady stream. This is probably my favorite tune on the album.
On the last tune we have the tenor saxes back. It’s an over 16 minutes display of freer ideas and moody undertones that feels rooted and organic. Love these longer pieces when you really have time to get lost in the music.
A classic filed at last.
