01	Acknowledgement						07:47
	02	Resolution						07:25
	03	Pursuance						17:55
	04	Psalm						06:13
	05	Sun Ship						06:27
	06	Dearly Beloved						08:15
	07	Amen						10:06
	08	Ascent						11:25

All compositions by John Coltrane

John Coltrane - tenor saxophone
McCoy Tyner - piano
Jimmy Garrison - bass
Elvin Jones - drums

A Love Supreme - 1964
Sun Ship - 1965


Sun Ship
Date of Release Aug 26, 1965 (recording)
Styles Avant-Garde, Hard Bop, Free Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz

Other than First Meditations, which was not released at the time, Sun Ship (reissued on CD by Impulse) was the final studio album by John Coltrane's classic quartet (with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones) before Pharoah Sanders joined the band on second tenor. At this point in time, Coltrane was using very short repetitive themes as jumping off points for explosive improvisations, often centered around one chord and a very specific spiritual mood. Tyner sounds a bit conservative in comparison, but Jones keeps up with 'Trane's fire (especially on "Amen"). Even in the most intense sections (and much of this music is atonal), there is a logic and thoughtfulness about Coltrane's playing. - Scott Yanow

1. Sun Ship (Coltrane)
2. Dearly Beloved (Kern/Mercer)
3. Amen (Coltrane)
4. Attaining (Coltrane)
5. Ascent (Coltrane)

Elvin Jones - Drums
Jimmy Garrison - Bass
McCoy Tyner - Piano
John Coltrane - Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Producer
Michael Cuscuna - Reissue Producer
Bob Thiele - Producer
David Wild - Liner Notes
Chuck Stewart - Photography
Hollis King - Art Direction

1995 CD Impulse! 167
1997 LP Impulse! 167
1995 CD Impulse! 167
Impulse! 9211



A Love Supreme [Impulse]
Date of Release Dec 9, 1964 (recording)
Styles Post-Bop, Hard Bop, Free Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz

Easily one of the most important records ever made, John Coltrane's A Love Supreme was his pinnacle studio outing that at once compiled all of his innovations from his past, spoke of his current deep spirituality, and also gave a glimpse into the next two and a half years (sadly, those would be his last). Recorded at the end of 1964, Trane's classic quartet of Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, and Jimmy Garrison stepped into the studio and created one of the most thought-provoking, concise, and technically pleasing albums of their bountiful relationship (not to mention his best selling to date). From the undulatory (and classic) bass line at the intro to the last breathy notes, Trane is at the peak of his logical yet emotionally varied soloing while the rest of the group is remarkably in tune with Coltrane's spiritual vibe. Composed of four parts, each has a thematic progression leading to an understanding of spirituality through meditation. From the beginning, "Acknowledgement" is the awakening of sorts that trails off to the famous chanting of the theme at the end, which yields to the second act, "Resolution," an amazingly beautiful piece about the fury of dedication to a new path of understanding. "Persuance" is a search for that understanding, and "Psalm" is the enlightenment. Although he is at times aggressive and atonal, this isn't Trane at his most adventurous (pretty much everything recorded from here on out progressively becomes much more free, and live recordings from this period are extremely spirited), but it certainly is his best attempt at the realization of concept - as the spiritual journey is made amazingly clear. A Love Supreme clocks in at just over 30 minutes, but if it had been any longer it could have turned into a laborious listen. As it stands, just enough is conveyed. It is almost impossible to imagine a world without A Love Supreme having been made, and it is equally impossible to imagine any jazz collection without it. - Jack LV Isles

1. Pt. 1 - Acknowledgement (Coltrane) - 7:47
2. Pt. 2 - Resolution (Coltrane) - 7:25
3. Pt. 3 - Pursuance/Pt. 4 -Psalm (Coltrane) - 17:50

Elvin Jones - Drums
Jimmy Garrison - Bass
McCoy Tyner - Piano
John Coltrane - Saxophone, Sax (Tenor), Liner Notes
Michael Cuscuna - Liner Notes, Reissue Producer
Rudy Van Gelder - Engineer
Bob Thiele - Producer, Original Session Producer, Cover Photo
Charles Stewart - Photography
Ron Warwell - Design
Erick Labson - Digital Remastering
Jason Claiborne - Graphic Design
Joe Alper - Photography
Lee Tanner - Photography
Hollis King - Art Direction

1995 CD Impulse! 155
1995 LP Impulse! 155
1995 CD GRP 155
1992 LP Impulse! MCA-5660
1992 CD Impulse! MCAD-5660
1990 CD MCA 5660
1992 CS Impulse! MCAC-5660
2000 CD Import 10026


A Love Supreme [Japan 2001 Reissue]
Date of Release Dec 9, 1964
Styles Post-Bop, Hard Bop, Free Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz

Easily one of the most important records ever made, John Coltrane's A Love Supreme was his pinnacle studio outing that at once compiled all of his innovations from his past, spoke of his current deep spirituality, and also gave a glimpse into the next two and a half years (sadly, those would be his last). Recorded at the end of 1964, Trane's classic quartet of Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, and Jimmy Garrison stepped into the studio and created one of the most thought-provoking, concise, and technically pleasing albums of their bountiful relationship (not to mention his best-selling to date). From the undulatory (and classic) bass line at the intro to the last breathy notes, Trane is at the peak of his logical yet emotionally varied soloing, while the rest of the group is remarkably in tune with his spiritual vibe. Composed of four parts, each has a thematic progression leading to an understanding of spirituality through meditation. From the beginning: "Acknowledgement" is the awakening of sorts, trailing off to the famous chanting of the theme at the end, which yields to the second act, "Resolution," an amazingly beautiful piece about the fury of dedication to a new path of understanding. "Pursuance" is a search for that understanding, and "Psalm" is the enlightenment. Although he is at times aggressive and atonal, this isn't Trane at his most adventurous (pretty much everything recorded from here on out progressively becomes much more free, and live recordings from this period are extremely spirited), but it certainly is his best attempt at the realization of a concept - as the spiritual journey is made amazingly clear. A Love Supreme clocks in at just over 30 minutes, but if it had been any longer it could have turned into a laborious listen. As it stands, just enough is conveyed. It is almost impossible to imagine a world without A Love Supreme having been made, and it is equally impossible to imagine any jazz collection without it. - Jack LV Isles

1. A Love Supreme, Pt. 1 (Coltrane) - 7:47
2. A Love Supreme, Pt. 2 (Coltrane) - 7:25
3. A Love Supreme, Pt. 3 (Coltrane) - 17:50

Elvin Jones - Drums
Jimmy Garrison - Bass
McCoy Tyner - Piano
John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor), Liner Notes
Rudy Van Gelder - Engineer
George Gray - Cover Design
Bob Thiele - Producer, Cover Photo
Victor Kalin - Artwork
Joe Lebow - Design
Viceroy - Cover Design

2001 CD Impulse! 9002



Artist: JOHN COLTRANE
Title: A LOVE SUPREME
Date: DECEMBER 9, 1964
Release: IMPULSE GRD-155

MUSTHEAR REVIEW:

Perhaps the most fully realized work of art dedicated to God since Michaelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. No other musician has a church of worship built to honor their spirit (The Church of John Coltrane in San Francisco), and no other artist could be more deserving of such acknowledgment. In the liner notes, Coltrane dedicates the record to God as his "humble offering." But Trane was not alone in his dedication. His classic quartet--made up of Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, and Jimmy Garrison--merge to form one transcendent entity, pushing beyond all limits to approach the divine. This recording represents the single greatest achievement of an artist who left the world with an extensive discography full of magnificence. The spiritual intensity of A Love Supreme leaves one profoundly moved and quietly ecstatic. An album to be heard nightly, before bed, like a prayer.
---John Ballon (email)


Tracks:
1. Acknowledgment
2. Resolution
3. Pursuance
4. Psalm

Players:
John Coltrane: Tenor Sax
McCoy Tyner: Piano
Jimmy Garrison: Bass
Elvin Jones: Drums