John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

One of the first I ever heard, and one of the most universally celebrated, A Love Supreme could well be my favourite jazz album of all time. I find it almost indescribable as to why this is, and I feel it’s brilliance can only be fully realised when consumed.

I’m not a very religious person anymore, but I appreciate this album’s attempt to be a “humble offering” to god, rather than trying to speak through god by any means. At the very least, it’s known that the album was unique for its time, and had an immediately profound effect on listeners as well as future jazz greats who would also blur the boundaries between music and spiritualism (such as John McLaughlin, his wife Alice Coltrane, and without a doubt, Miles Davis).

Press play and you’ll find flurries of running saxophone licks, carefully placed and finely orchestrated blocks of piano, and warm basslines that move like heartbeats across each of the four tracks here. While I know it’s not the cornerstone of this record, the recording and production is the definition of immaculate, blowing me away when I first heard it and continues to years later. Every element of each piece rides a fine line between being explosive and considered, so full of emotion yet carried out with such careful grace, all coming together to amalgamate into this gorgeous wall of sound which can only be described as spiritual.

The most honourable of mentions must go out to Elvin Jones here, who showcases probably my favourite performance of drums I’ve ever heard in jazz. His drums feels loose but are played with such a fine technique that its an absolute marvel to listen to, and no doubt has been studied for decades beyond its release (and should continue to!)

Unfortunately I’m sort of at a loss for words to describe something like this, but it’s my favourite recording of jazz ever. Beautiful and deeply moving, to say the least.

KEY TRACK: Acknowledgement - an amazingly fiery start to the record and my favourite track here, every single band member is full steam ahead on this one and it perfectly captures the magic of the greater album. No need to mention a second track, this is all you’ll need.