My favorite jazz record of all time. Anytime a record can both drive you mad and ease your soul at different times is classic in my eyes. This Impulse recording was right before Coltrane went way out, therefore you get hints of free playing, but within a more ordered frame. And I'd have to risk it and say, this was probably one of Coltrane's funkiest records although it is not funky at all. Broken into three movements, there is some definite strong ideas working here, unexplainable, but you can feel it. My rational side digs the first part with the classic bassline and band chants, but the repressed side of me bugs at the gradual chaos of the second and third parts. Ive had some interesting moments walking around in the city with this in my headphones. It's some powerful shit. High quality gatefold pressing.

• black vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Impulse 1995

reviewed by the mgmnt 10/2005