Record Reviews

JOHN COLTRANE ~ THE CLASSIC QUARTET: COMPLETE IMPULSE! STUDIO RECORDINGS IMPULSE! 280 (Barcode: 011105028028) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1961 - 1965 Released: 1998 If there was ever a Box Set that includes the most quintessential music recorded in the 20th century, this is it! If we lived in an ideal world, this icon would be present in every household on earth, replacing the many religious / political / pseudo-cultural and empty icons so many people worship blindly. Sadly we don’t live in such a world and the only solace is that Coltrane’s music touched millions of people around the globe and shaped the way of thinking and inspired the way of playing of countless musicians over time. Not enough, but still quite an achievement, for which one should be grateful to the technology of sound recording. Let me say this again (as repetition is this case is hardly redundant): If I were to head the SETI project, I’d have this music beamed out to deep space indefinitely, hoping that if we ever get to the Encounter of the Third Kind, the sentient beings out there might have a better opinion of our species than the average Homo Sapiens might project. Back on earth; this lavish set includes all the music the legendary Coltrane Quartet (with McCoy Tyner – piano, Jimmy Garrison – bass and Elvin Jones – drums) recorded for Impulse! between December of 1961 and September of 1965. It includes the complete 8 studio albums the Quartet recorded (“Coltrane”, “Ballads”, “Crescent”, “A Love Supreme”, “Plays”, “Transition”, “Sun Ship”, “First Meditations”) and the studio tracks of 4 other albums, which also included live tracks (“Impressions”, “Live At Birdland”, “Kulu Se Mama”, “Infinity”). In addition various previously unreleased tracks and tracks released on compilation albums are included. All the tracks are presented in strict chronological order (by date of recording), which enhances the value of the set immensely, as the listener is able to follow the rapid transition process Coltrane’s music was taking during this period. It is almost impossible to believe that it is the same Quartet that recorded the first tracks in the set and the last ones. The visionary drive that pushed Coltrane to the limits (and beyond) of human ability to express emotions and intellect in the form of musical creation is plainly evident here. Coltrane’s impulse (how appropriate) to expand the borders of known musical vocabulary seems to completely engulf the other members of the Quartet, as these tracks are as much Coltrane’s as the Quartet’s. The telepathic interplay between the musicians and the process of constant challenging each other is an essential ingredient of this music, which takes it to a higher plane. The bonus tracks shed light on the entire process of development and clear many unanswered (up to the time this was released) riddles and gaps in the continuity of the process. Obviously the material released during Coltrane’s life was only partial and suffered from corporate decisions as to what and how was released. This set puts the record straight (no chaser). To summarize; this is one of the best introspective releases ever done (of the best music ever recorded). The set is lavishly packaged in a sturdy metal case and includes a 100-page book with exquisite photos and intelligent liner notes. Add to this over 8 hours of heavenly music and you get the Mother of all Box Sets and a collectors’ item that is virtually priceless. Still thinking about this?

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 8 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend