Album Of The Week : John Coltrane ‘Coltrane’
John Coltrane - Coltrane (1962)
This incredible album doesn’t get mentioned as often as it should when John Coltrane’s other masterpieces are discussed. Lore puts the blame on the critical bashing that was given to John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy’s joint venture into free jazz the previous year. If that’s the case, all the more pity; these (mostly) white gatekeeper critics acted as a barrier and reactionary voice to seemingly every progressive aspect of jazz from the 60’s onward.
What can’t be denied is the quality of the music here; music that was performed by a group of masters that were fueled by pure inspiration. Kicking off the album with an absolute knockout- Out Of This World - starts off with a hypnotic Latin-esque rhythm, and transitions into a far more foreboding groove as McCoy Tyner’s choppy piano chords are in perfect symmetry with John Coltrane’s solo. Elvin Jones stretches time inside and outside itself, while somehow maintaining a steady, propulsive rhythm. Jimmy Garrison’s bass playing stays earthy and grounded, a musical glue. It’s one of the most outstanding (and telepathic) performances I’ve ever heard. The overall vibe is akin to a preparation for ‘A Love Supreme’, as well as concepts that became a part of Trane’s free jazz works, just a few short years on. Heady, heady stuff.
After this incendiary, intense 14 minutes, the listener is treated to a cooling off track; the delicate, beautiful ‘Soul Eyes’. John Coltrane had a way with ballads that was just as groundbreaking as his fire fueled sheets of sound. This group was able to turn up the heat on standards/ ballads, yet still remain so tender and poignant. Once again, the telepathic interplay between ‘Trane and McCoy is pure magic.
Side two kicks off with the kinda silly, kinda delightful ‘The Inch Worm’ (with its boogloo-esque rhythm). Things get serious (and seriously mindblowing) again for ‘Tunji’; Coltrane’s own composition, which was written in tribute to visionary Nigerian percussionist Olatunji. Imagine if those two had a chance to record together… phew. The album ends on a swinging, cerebral note with another tribute in ‘Miles Mode’; a hat tip to fellow modal traveler, Mr Miles Davis. Not only is this one of the greatest albums in the history of jazz, it leaps out of genre classifications and into one of music’s all time greatest statements.