Alice Coltrane

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definitely get joe henderson + alice coltrane's "the elements" then. it's like JiS, but a bit dubbier (there's more multitracking and tape delays and effects pedals), a bit darker, a bit more exotic, and there's beat poetry and shit too.

― vahid (vahid), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 23:22 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...

Has anyone heard her new album, Translinear Light? Any good?

― Jonathan (Jonathan), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:53 (twenty-one years ago)

wow. thanks for the heads up. AMG gave it a great review. it sounds like it's gonna be kind of a crazy record.

Vahid, i ended up picking up that Joe Henderson record and it sounded great, but i think i've just not been in a jazz mood lately and only listened to it twice :(

― JaXoN (JasonD), Monday, 27 September 2004 20:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, Alice & Ravi with Jeff Watts, James Genus, Charlie Haden, and Jack deJohnette. This is the first time I've been excited about a jazz record in awhile.

― Jordan (Jordan), Monday, 27 September 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Wait, it's all new Alice Coltrane material?!

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Monday, 27 September 2004 21:33 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG syndrums!

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Monday, 27 September 2004 21:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Just finished listening. It's all new Alice material except for some trads (American and Indian) and Crescent (the song).

The first half is okay...the syndrums aren't very noticeable, it's just sounds like tabla and those lower pitch-bendy Indian drums whose name I don't know. She does play some questionable synthesizer on a few songs, but the cool Wurlitzer playing on other songs makes up for it.

The second half picks up a lot. 'Leo' is like Interstellar Space except with Alice, Ravi, and deJohnette, sleigh bells and all. Crescent is really nice too, as are the two duets (Alice with Charlie Haden, whom I always love hearing, and Alice on organ with an Indian choir).

― Jordan (Jordan), Tuesday, 28 September 2004 19:22 (twenty-one years ago)

i'd like to hear this – her duet with haden on his "closeness" lp is great too

― jones (actual), Tuesday, 28 September 2004 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Can't wait for this.

― pdf (Phil Freeman), Tuesday, 28 September 2004 19:54 (twenty-one years ago)

The Japanese version of Translinear Light also contains a bonus track - a cover of A Love Supreme Pt. 1

And, concurrent with its release, Huntington Ashram Monastery and Lord of Lords are both out on CD (in Japan, that is)

― Dr Benway (dr benway), Wednesday, 29 September 2004 04:08 (twenty-one years ago)

two months pass...

I just got Translinear Light and listened to it a couple times today. I think it's possibly the album of the year for me so far, al-out heavy and emotional. The first track actually sounds a bit like the Theatre of Eternal Music. I don't think I've heard organ playing like the playing on this album before, with all those pitch bends making it like guitar and sax solos. The saxes just cut through. I like the synth washes a lot myself.

The only thing I don't get is the need to end with a track of Sai bhajan chanting. I'd visit my parents' friends on weekends if I wanted to hear that. But, whatever, I guess it has meaning for her.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Monday, 29 November 2004 03:20 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

world galaxy is now my favorite by a good bit. the tape effects at the end of "my favorite things" are incredible. still have only heard PtED, JiS, UC, and WG (and actually a little bit of transcendence a few years ago) - i wanna hear LoL and AMT next.

impulse should try to get the rights to her entire back catalogue (or cut in the other labels a little)and put out a complete alice box. that would be a great release.

― petesmith (plsmith), Monday, 5 December 2005 20:10 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, "World Galaxy" is stunningly brilliant. Classic. "Galaxy in Turiya" is glorious.

― Turangalila (Salvador), Monday, 5 December 2005 23:45 (twenty years ago)

Alice Coltrane is one of the few spouses that I can think of that has such a solid catalogue. But I stand by my declaration of Ptah as the BEST! (Though, in the interest of self-criticism, I'll be listening to the rest again now... Gorgeous, gorgeous jazz...)

― js (honestengine), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 18:39 (twenty years ago)

so just to be clear, someone who really, really likes Journey in Satchidananda should get what next? Ptah? Monastic Trio?

― Tyler Wilcox (tylerw), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 18:56 (twenty years ago)

Tyler Wilcox, definitely go for Ptah, The El Daoud. Mmm. "Blue Nile" is too lovely for words.

― Turangalila (Salvador), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 19:51 (twenty years ago)

(Incidentally, isn't the intro to Journey in Satchidananda one of the *best album intros evah*? Mmm. That awesome bassline.)

― Turangalila (Salvador), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 19:55 (twenty years ago)

I'd say go with Ptah, but that's because, again, it's my favorite and I have trouble recommending, y'know, one of the other great albums if you don't already had that one.

― js (honestengine), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 19:57 (twenty years ago)

Well, the thing about some of the other great albums (e.g., UC, WG) is they're aiming toward a different sound. If you like the 'Ptah' and 'Journey In Satchidananda' aspects of Alice it doesn't necessarily follow that you'll like her other stuff.

I personally *prefer* her more mystical, string-laden music. I think it's absolutely beautiful and unique. In fact, the only song I really like on Transcendence is "Prema"---and it's mostly due to the beautiful string arrangement.

"Lord of Lords" also has some great pieces, like her rendition of Stravinsky's "Firebird," and the beautiful, joyous "Going Home."

― Turangalila (Salvador), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 20:07 (twenty years ago)

cool, thanks for the info. the only other AC CD i have is the most recent one, which strikes me as more of a grab-bag of various styles. i've heard a couple songs from the more string-laden releases and dig that too. but "journey" is really knocking my socks off currently. can't quite believe i hadn't heard it up until a few months ago! it's got a really amazing, sustained groove throughout that i don't think i've heard anywhere else. and the more eastern instrumentation mixed with that harp mixed with pharoah sander...wow!

― Tyler Wilcox (tylerw), Tuesday, 6 December 2005 21:37 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

Mmm. Have been revisiting her catalogue lately and I can't help but feel that Alice is immensely underrated. Listening to pieces like "Transcendence" just corroborates how *unique* her sound is.

― Turangalila (Salvador), Monday, 26 December 2005 23:04 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

listening to huntington ashram monastery at the moment, and i like it. dont seem to be a huge amount of mentions for this one, is it considered one of the 'lesser' ones?

― terry lennox. (gareth), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 12:20 (twenty years ago)

I imagine it's because you can't get it on CD

― Dadaismus PBUH (Dada), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 12:24 (twenty years ago)

... therefore hardly any of us have heard it!

― Dadaismus PBUH (Dada), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 12:26 (twenty years ago)

It is available on CD, though, as a Japanese import. It was recently reissued. I'm sure you can find it cheaper somewhere else.

― Turangalila (Salvador), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 13:05 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, but you'll be a dear and rip it for us, right?

― js (honestengine), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 14:48 (twenty years ago)

Fine. Huntington Ashram Monastery. Enjoy.

― Turangalila (Salvador), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 17:56 (twenty years ago)

Does anyone know if "Ptah..." has been reissued on vinyl ala "Journey in Satchidinanda"? I could have sworn I saw it in the record shops awhile back but now I can't find it anywhere?

I also would dearly love to find the cassette-only recordings. It seems that Ed Michel produced at least one of them.

The live album (Transfiguration?) is really, really good. Haynes & Workman are ideal sidemen for her. Anybody ever hear her album with Santana?

― Sparkle Motion's Rising Force, Tuesday, 7 February 2006 21:49 (twenty years ago)

from my first post of the thread: Illuminations - this is an album put out between Alice and Carlos Santana. it's from 74 and is pretty heavy fusion. good if you like fusion (i do).

she also arranged some songs on one of his albums "Welcome". it's pure white with the word Welcome embossed on the cover

― team jaxon (jaxon), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 22:16 (twenty years ago)

Thanks for that, Turangalila!

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 22:21 (twenty years ago)

OOPS. Well, that's pretty much how I imagined it sounded. I think I've run my course with fusion for the time being. The next ones to get on the list are her album with Joe Henderson and "Lord of Lords".

I hope she cuts another album in considerably shorter time than the gap between her last 2. Harp would be nice for the next one.

I'd also like to see the quadrophonic stuff reissued on multichannel SACD.

― Sparkle Motion's Rising Force, Tuesday, 7 February 2006 22:23 (twenty years ago)

wow, looking at the liners to Welcome closer, Leon Thomas sings (or whistles) on a majority of the tracks. and Flora Purim sings on one track. i can't believe i've never really listened to this.

― team jaxon (jaxon), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 22:24 (twenty years ago)

Is there a way to open that zip file on a Mac?

― Sundar (sundar), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 01:42 (twenty years ago)

if you're on OSX, click on the file, do apple+i (get info) and say open with Stuffit Expander instead of BOMArchiveHelper.

― team jaxon (jaxon), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 02:12 (twenty years ago)

Thanks so much Turangalila and jaxon. It sounds great so far.

― Sundar (sundar), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 03:23 (twenty years ago)

Is the sound supposed to be slightly distorted?

― Sundar (sundar), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 03:25 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, seems like the masters for both Lord of Lords and HAM sound awkwardly distorted.

― Turangalila (Salvador), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 03:32 (twenty years ago)

Thanks Turangalila!

― js (honestengine), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 06:45 (twenty years ago)

js, you guys have Huntington at the station ...

Thanks for the Alice recommendations; I'd been avoiding her for some reason. She's critically underrated.

― Brakhage (brakhage), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 16:27 (twenty years ago)

js just told me about the Huntington Ashram rip--and the dl limit has already been reached. Damn! Could some fine person repost through ysi? Pretty please? I loves me some Alice Coltrane, especially some I haven't heard in years. I've got the rest--other than the brand new one--on vinyl and/or cd. The HAM is the missing link for me. Pretty pretty please?

― J Arthur Rank (Quin Tillian), Friday, 10 February 2006 04:48 (twenty years ago)

Huntington Ashram Monastery

― Turangalila (Salvador), Friday, 10 February 2006 14:17 (twenty years ago)

Brakhage! How you doin'? How's the West Coast? Have you thrown your lot in with Death Row yet, or are you still reppin' Bad Boy?

― js (honestengine), Friday, 10 February 2006 17:10 (twenty years ago)

Aieeeee! Forbidden

You don't have permission to access /download/(etc. etc.)

Why me, lord?

― J Arthur Rank (Quin Tillian), Friday, 10 February 2006 21:11 (twenty years ago)

use rapidshare.de, yo

― team jaxon (jaxon), Friday, 10 February 2006 21:19 (twenty years ago)

Huntington Ashram Monastery (Rapidshare.de)

― Turangalila (Salvador), Friday, 10 February 2006 23:52 (twenty years ago)

you're a good man, charlie brown

― team jaxon (jaxon), Friday, 10 February 2006 23:57 (twenty years ago)

thank you thank you thank you. rapidshare seems to be working (yo).

― J Arthur Rank (Quin Tillian), Saturday, 11 February 2006 16:36 (twenty years ago)

Thanks for the YSI.

― Harpal (harpal), Saturday, 11 February 2006 16:45 (twenty years ago)

I just wanted to add my thanks for sharing that album. Very generous.

― Sparkle Motion's Rising Force, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 19:32 (twenty years ago)

I'll add my thanks, too. I just finally listened to HAM this morning. Four times. It's amazing. The rhythm section really just kills. I need to get Monastic Trio.

― mcd (mcd), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:13 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 638 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

wow. checking out an episode on youtube

― budo jeru, Wednesday, 12 February 2025 16:04 (one year ago)

what is that?

― sleeve, Wednesday, 12 February 2025 16:18 (one year ago)

Throughout the mid-1980s, viewers tuning in late at night to Los Angeles’s KTTV Channel 11 could catch a broadcast unlike any other: ETERNITY’S PILLAR, a journey through the astral plane created and hosted by jazz visionary and spiritual guru Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3MkhsePVJE

― budo jeru, Wednesday, 12 February 2025 16:27 (one year ago)

oh wow

― sleeve, Wednesday, 12 February 2025 16:30 (one year ago)

Funny how the temperament has changed back in the early 90s these vids were held up as prime examples of her as a "non-serious" musician

― chr1sb3singer, Wednesday, 12 February 2025 16:37 (one year ago)

Holy shit.

― Cow_Art, Wednesday, 12 February 2025 16:47 (one year ago)

i am honored to be able to see this. i had an old hippie coworker in my record store employee daze who had fun recollections of watching it in its initial run while indulging in psychedelics. he didn't have any sort of real appreciation for it beyond "looool triiiippppyyy" so it's really cool to see it unbiased. thank you for posting.

― MUFFY TEPPERMAN WAS THE OG KAREN (Austin), Wednesday, 12 February 2025 18:20 (one year ago)

got to see Ravi Coltrane play a tribute to his mother last night in Berkeley with Brandee Younger on harp. Not sure how often he does this but I recommend seeing them if you get a chance. I think the rap on Ravi is that he is a 'pretty' player, technically great, but missing the element-pushing that his father or Pharoah Sanders excelled at, which is certainly true but in this context it is not really a problem.

― I? not I! He! He! HIM! (akm), Sunday, 23 February 2025 17:17 (one year ago)

element-push was meant to be 'envelope pushing' apologies

― I? not I! He! He! HIM! (akm), Sunday, 23 February 2025 17:17 (one year ago)

five months pass...

some asshole put Turiya and Ramakrishna in a Victoria's Secret ad

― budo jeru, Wednesday, 20 August 2025 02:22 (nine months ago)

it's weirdly become kind of a streaming hit

― corrs unplugged, Wednesday, 20 August 2025 06:50 (nine months ago)

two months pass...

Adam Schatz has a nice piece about her in the NYRB. He mentioned a duet with Charlie Haden ("For Turiya" on his album of duets Closeness) that I've never heard before and if you're in the same boat, seek it out immediately

― rob, Thursday, 6 November 2025 21:16 (seven months ago)

Co-sign that. Incredible track. Makes me weep if it catches me off guard.

I've been listening to The Elements a lot recently, her album with Joe Henderson. Beautiful stuff and good for autumn.

― I would prefer not to. (Chinaski), Thursday, 6 November 2025 21:19 (seven months ago)

Closeness rules

― chr1sb3singer, Thursday, 6 November 2025 21:22 (seven months ago)

yeah I'm on the Paul Motian track now and it's super weird and cool

I should listen to Elements again, it's been a long time

― rob, Thursday, 6 November 2025 21:28 (seven months ago)

Not AC related but talk of Closeness always makes me think of Soapsuds, Soapsuds Ornette and Haden's great duo lp from around the same time

― chr1sb3singer, Thursday, 6 November 2025 21:30 (seven months ago)

ok i was not expecting the record to start with a take on the "mary hartman, mary hartman" theme

― Kate (rushomancy), Thursday, 6 November 2025 22:12 (seven months ago)

my god this is witchcraft

― assert (matttkkkk), Friday, 7 November 2025 00:44 (seven months ago)

four months pass...

A biog will be out soon

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/mar/20/alice-coltrane-jazz-harpist-pianist-music-flying-lotus-cosmic-music

― xyzzzz__, Saturday, 28 March 2026 20:41 (two months ago)

It is out

― chr1sb3singer, Monday, 30 March 2026 14:26 (two months ago)

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Alice Coltrane - S/D