Meditations

by John Coltrane

Overview

The year 1965 was a turning point in the life of John Coltrane. It was at this point that he crossed the line into the free jazz arena that he had been approaching since the early '60s. Besides his landmark Ascension, no album better illustrates this than the awe-inspiring Meditations. Coltrane's regular quartet -- McCoy Tyner (piano), Jimmy Garrison (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums) -- is expanded here with second drummer Rashied Ali (who assumed Jones' spot after this album) and saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. This conglomeration produces some dense textures, especially in the epic first track "The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost." This sonic hurricane is a 13-minute outpouring of spiritual emotion that is at once compelling and exhausting. Elsewhere, the group delicately follows Coltrane's lead on the passionate "Love" and swings with abandon on the raucous "Consequences" as Sanders and 'Trane battle like warriors above the churning rhythm section. Finally, the aptly titled "Serenity" is a swirling free-form improvisation gently touching back down to earth after an adventurous ride through the heavens.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/15/2021
Label:	Universal
UPC:	4988031448717
Rank:	122107

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Coltrane   Primary Artist,Percussion,Sax (Tenor)
Elvin Jones   Drums
Pharoah Sanders   Bells,Percussion,Tambourine,Sax (Tenor)
Rashied Ali   Drums
Jimmy Garrison   Bass
McCoy Tyner   Piano

Technical Credits

Andy Kman   Production Coordination
Erick Labson   Digital Remastering
Robert Flynn   Cover Design
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer,Original Engineering
Michael Cuscuna   Reissue Producer
Bob Thiele   Producer,Original Recording Producer
Kevin Reeves   Mastering
John Coltrane   Composer
Harry Weinger   Reissue Supervisor
Nat Hentoff   Liner Notes
Charles Shabacon   Cover Photo,Photography
Joe Alper   Photography
Alba Acevedo   Graphic Design
Joe Lewbow   Liner Design
Hollis King   Art Direction
Isabelle Wong   Design
Joe Lebow   Liner Design