A Love Supreme

Performer: John Coltrane
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: John Coltrane (tenor saxophone); McCoy Tyner (piano); Jimmy Garrison (acoustic bass); Elvin Jones (drums). Producer: Bob Thiele. Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on December 9, 1964. Includes liner notes by John Coltrane and Michael Cuscuna. Digitally remastered using 20-bit technology by Erick Labson. Personnel: John Coltrane (vocals, tenor saxophone); Archie Shepp (tenor saxophone); McCoy Tyner (piano); Jimmy Garrison, Art Davis (bass); Elvin Jones (drums). Recorded at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and The Festival Mondial Du Jazz Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, France between December 1964 & July 1965. Includes liner notes by John Coltrane, Ashley Kahn, Ravi Coltrane. All tracks have been digitally remastered. A LOVE SUPREME is the essential example of the genius of John Coltrane. In what has become the apotheosis of jazz music, this eminently accessible work bridges the gap between music and spirituality, between art and life. With the ultimate incarnation of the jazz quartet, Coltrane brings together all of his turbulent elements into a cohesive paean to spirituality, one which is fully appreciable by the uninitiated. A LOVE SUPREME is a 33-minute work divided into four movements. "Acknowledgment" starts the album with a heraldic summoning from Coltrane's tenor saxophone, full and joyous, which approximates the tone of the prayer he provides in the album's liner notes. The solo that follows reveals an artist whose spiritual depth and emotional urgency are matched by an adherence to logic and a resolve to achieve one goal above all--communication. Each simple musical statement is either followed by a motivic development or countered with a conversational response. Coltrane climaxes with a distilled four-note motif echoing the album's title, which he plays with by sequencing it through a wide array of tonalities. Finally, the band comes in, reiterating this idea, chanting the mantra "A Love Supreme." "Acknowledgment" is followed by the torrential release of "Resolution," whose melody Coltrane fervently states to the animated accompaniment of his superb rhythm section. Laying the groundwork is drummer Elvin Jones, who approximates the effect of multiple percussionists feeding off of each other, creating an enormous texture of rhythm. McCoy Tyner's colorful piano clusters act as gusts of wind supporting Trane's soaring expressions. Bassist Jimmy Garrision takes the low road, keeping everyone on track. With support like this, Coltrane is free to explore the uncharted depths of his soul. On "Resolution," we can hear the very fabric of Trane's voice being stretched to the limit, as if even the horn which he has mastered is not a worthy enough vehicle for this man's spirit. The rousing "Pursuance" features some vigorously swinging playing from Tyner, furiously followed by Coltrane's climaxes in an inspired hurling of ideas. Bassist Garrison brings us to A LOVE SUPREME's conclusion, an extended "Psalm" that acts as a resolved denouement in which Trane slowly muses over a lush bed of tranquil sounds--almost as if he were reflecting upon the wisdom achieved at this apex of his spiritual journey. Although the music is slowed, the level of intensity is maintained, as if we've reached a plateau upon which we may ponder what is pronounced in the liner notes, "Elation--Elegance--Exaltation--All from God." Via John Coltrane.

Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.110) - Ranked #47 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...Coltrane soars with nothing but gratitude and joy. You can't help but go with him..." Rolling Stone (11/14/02, p.91) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...John Coltrane's A LOVE SUPREME is one of the most compelling, spiritual testimonies in the history of jazz..." Rolling Stone (12/26/02, p.114) - Ranked #2 in Rolling Stone's list of 2002's "10 Best Reissues" Q (10/95, p.136) - 5 Stars - Indispensable - "...a four-part affirmation of religious faith, and simply one of the most influential records of the '60s. It's challenging and intense, but an essential and ultimately very beautiful album..." Q (4/99, p.129) - Included in Q's list of "The Best Jazz Albums of All Time." Uncut (2/03, p.91) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Stormy jazz from the height of the New Thing..." The Wire (12/02, pp.51-3) - "...A LOVE SUPREME is marvellously self-contained....The dignity of A LOVE SUPREME has not been compromised and it has never sounded better on CD..." Down Beat (4/8/65) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "...Coltrane's artistry is evident in his never permitting tension to overcome its counterpoise, release....[A LOVE SUPREME] is a significant album, because Coltrane has brought together the promising but underdeveloped aspects of his previous work; has shorn, compressed, extended and tamed them; and has emerged a greater artist for it...." Down Beat (11/95, p.73) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "With the power of prayer fueling its invention, half the universe's choice for desert-island disc still sounds novel....Trane's rolling discourse managed to be simultaneously menacing and sublime..." Vibe (12/99, p.160) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century Mojo (Publisher) (1/03, p.106) - "...A LOVE SUPREME remains a remarkable, challenging listen...It's the definitive version of a definitive moment..." NME (Magazine) (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #36 in NME's list of the `Greatest Albums Of All Time.'

Through both the force of his music and his personal character, saxophonist John Coltrane remains among the most influential jazz artists of all time. After a stint with the classic Miles Davis band of the late 1950s, the tenor titan embarked on a decade of staggering creativity. With the daunting GIANT STEPS, he exploded the possibilities of post-bop harmony; subsequently, he formed his "classic quartet" with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones--the ideal group for Coltrane's ever-expanding sonic vocabulary. As the '60s progressed, he also added the soprano sax to the mix and explored the use of modes, before finally moving on to the inspired free playing on records such as ASCENSION and INTERSTELLAR SPACE in his last years.

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