Chi Coltrane Essential (2009)

John Coltrane's quintet with Eric Dolphy was recorded extensively during their European tour in 1961, with many of the concerts evidently being broadcast and taped by private collectors. The music heard on this two-CD set was previously available from the now-defunct Mag(Luxe) label, containing both shows from Paris in 1961. The sound quality is better than average, though Elvin Jones' drums are the most prominent instrument, but the rest of the band can be heard. Coltrane tends to solo long, not always giving Dolphy and Tyner the room they deserve, though they are effective when featured…

The classic 1963 album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane showcased the rising jazz saxophone innovator performing alongside the long-established piano institution. While the pairing might have portended a dynamic clash of the musical generations, instead we got a casual, respectful, and musically generous meeting of like-minded souls. Similarly, while one might have assumed that Ellington would use his sidemen, instead producer Bob Thiele (who also produced similar albums for Ellington including pairings with Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins) chose to bring in Coltrane's own outfit for the proceedings. Consequently, the duo is backed here at various times by bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones, as well as alternates bassist Aaron Bell and drummer Sam Woodyard…

The classic 1963 album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane showcased the rising jazz saxophone innovator performing alongside the long-established piano institution. While the pairing might have portended a dynamic clash of the musical generations, instead we got a casual, respectful, and musically generous meeting of like-minded souls. Similarly, while one might have assumed that Ellington would use his sidemen, instead producer Bob Thiele (who also produced similar albums for Ellington including pairings with Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins) chose to bring in Coltrane's own outfit for the proceedings. Consequently, the duo is backed here at various times by bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones, as well as alternates bassist Aaron Bell and drummer Sam Woodyard…

This album is of historic interest as it comprises the only studio recordings made by the Johnny Hodges band while John Coltrane was a member, most of the other sidemen being former Ellingtonians or guests from Duke Ellington's orchestra. The music is excellent: Johnny Hodges is on superb form throughout; all of Harold Baker's trumpet solos are exquisite, as is Jimmy Hamilton's clarinet playing on "If you were mine",while Louie Bellson demonstrates that he was surely the best drummer ever to play with Ellington.
The CD is marketed under John Coltrane's name. However anyone who buys this record expecting to hear any solos by Coltrane will be disappointed; Coltrane is the one horn player in the band who does not play any solos.

John Coltrane's quintet with Eric Dolphy was recorded extensively during their European tour in 1961, with many of the concerts evidently being broadcast and taped by private collectors. The music heard on this two-CD set was previously available from the now-defunct Mag(Luxe) label, containing both shows from Paris in 1961. The sound quality is better than average, though Elvin Jones' drums are the most prominent instrument, but the rest of the band can be heard. Coltrane tends to solo long, not always giving Dolphy and Tyner the room they deserve, though they are effective when featured…

Charly's live John Coltrane recordings from '61, '63, and '65 reveal just how much the tenor and soprano saxophonist's playing changed in the first half of the decade: a sonic shift from aggressive tonality to unfettered exploration. While the 1965 disc, Live In Paris, does find Coltrane covering familiar song territory with "Naima," "Impressions," and "Afro Blue," it also shows him dismissing solo structure in favor of volcanic flights. The record features the saxophonist's classic quartet of pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Elvin Jones, and bassist Jimmy Garrison recorded at the Antibes festival and the Selel Pleyel in Paris; these concerts were not only part of Coltrane's last European tour, but would also mark the beginning of the end for the group (Tyner and Jones, traditionalists at heart, would soon depart in the face of their boss' increasing need for freedom, being replaced by Alice Coltrane and Rahsied Ali respectively)…

Journey in Satchidananda is the fourth solo album by Alice Coltrane. Its title (and title track) reflects Coltrane's inspiration by Swami Satchidananda whom Coltrane had become close to while being his disciple. "Shiva-Loka", or "realm of Shiva", refers to the realm of the third member of the Hindu trinity, the "dissolver of creation". "Stopover Bombay" refers to a five-week stay in India and Sri Lanka on which Coltrane was due to go in December 1970. "Something About John Coltrane" is based on themes by her late husband, John Coltrane. "Isis and Osiris", on which Charlie Haden replaces Cecil McBee on bass, and Vishnu Wood plays oud, indicates Coltrane's interest in Middle Eastern and North African music and culture. The presence of the tamboura, played by Tulsi, reflects Coltrane's interest in Indian classical music and religion.

In addition to being bandmates within Miles Davis' mid-'50s quintet, John Coltrane (tenor sax) and Red Garland (piano) head up a session featuring members from a concurrent version of the Red Garland Trio: Paul Chambers (bass) and Art Taylor (drums). This was the second date to feature the core of this band. A month earlier, several sides were cut that would end up on Coltrane's Lush Life album…