Search - Alice Coltrane :: World Galaxy

Alice at her peak

A. Benjamin | Goodwell, OK United States | 11/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think of World Galaxy as an extension of her work on her previous album Journey in Satchidananda, in the process demonstrating that she had truly found her own voice. She adds two new elements on this particular album: strings in the background as a means of enhancing the meditative feel of her compositions and some funky organ playing (most notably on her reconstruction of her late husband's "A Love Supreme"). Although arguably the sound is mellower than many of her free/avant-garde contemporaries, this is not easy listening by any means. Indian musical elements and instrumentation are noticeable on the album, along with the gorgeous harp playing that Alice was undoubtedly famous for by this point in her career. This album is an excellent choice for fans of Alice Coltrane who wish to explore her later post-John Coltrane work. It is something special."

The Best: The Essence of "Alice" Coltrane

wilbur porter | cleveland, ohio USA | 10/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those of us who are familiar with all of Alice Coltrane's work, this has to be accepted as the work that most reveals Alice's own inner voice rather than that of her husband, that is the deeply Indian and western classical influence of this and other works such as "Eternity", as opposed to the superconscious jazz flavor of her collaboration with her husband his disciples. Both styles do work and I have collected all of her alblums and and CD"s in both styles. For those who want to be with the "real" Turiasangitananda, this CD is a must. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti! Hari Bol! PS- The accompanying poem by Swami Satchidananda is fantastic as well."

For Fans of Alice Coltranes, work.....this is arguably one o

fetish_2000 | U.K. | 09/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alice Coltrane, has over the course of her studio albums, cut an increasingly individualistic path of her own. Whereas earlier albums, cut a very fine line of elegant, rhythmically sparse piano, and subtly textured sensual arrangements, that referenced a more downtempo and restrained side of Jazz. But later albums would begin to start the definition & shape of her music and have a greater emphasis on 'Modal Music', which takes the form of an almost improvisational form of Jazz music that has a looser arrangement, with the results often having a meditative, cerebral feel. With tonal centre shifted, keeping the listener just off balance with a subtle unpredictability. Which she began to fully intergrate into her performances on, 'Organ, Piano & Harp', and her organic eastern influences that have remained dotted throughout her albums, and began to become more fully fleshed out, as her spiritual consciousness grew stronger.



World Galaxy can be seen to some degree as a hugely important album for Alice. As the new Jazz-Fusion sound was beginning to play a significant part in the ongoing creative movement of jazz, The legacy of Her deceased husband (John Coltrane), still loomed large, and her unique brand of 'Spiritual Jazz', was becoming more of niche market appeal. So instead of relenting and moving towards the increasingly popular Jazz-Fusion market, she dug even deeper into her influences and sound, and forged this dynamic masterpiece, that is in parts, A stunning intergration of all she does best, and a parital fitting tribute to her late husband.



"My Favourite Things" takes what was largely regarded as a signature tune for 'John Coltrane', and completely reinterprets it into a more gentlee and softly focused track. Smoothing off any harsh edges and moves his track into a more atmospherically textured sound, that beautifully illustrates her use of the organ and Harp, in place of where most of Johns performances would usually be. Its a startling fascinating new direction. Alice plays some beautifully pointed organ and piano, with her stings arrangement beautifully intuitive, and merely seek to complement the other musicians contributions, rather than overpower them. And most importantly of all, Alice's rendition is although a superbly fitting tribute to her husbands work, shows enough attention and thoughtful compostion & performances from Alice, means that this stands as a beautifully produced track that stands next to John's track in her own right, rather than a pale interpretation of it.



"Galaxy in Turiya" is easily one of my favourite pieces on this album, because contained here is a level of playing that is almost of filmic soundtrack level of performance. Alice creates a sound that is so awash with colour and dynamic atmospherically textured sound, that almost takes on an life of its own, as rhythm sections resonate wonderfully and the sweeping majestic sounds of 'Harp, flute & organ' all combine and nestle in perfectly with each other, it its hard to imagine anything sounding so sensual and organic. Creating a rich textured harpistry, that not only remains intertwining and invigorating, but manages to sound so completely unconcerned with musical (in this case Jazz) trends, and yet feels like it'll never sound dated or irrelevant....majestic in the broadest sense, it takes mood and arrangement of mythological sounds and constructs something with an overwhelming and mesmerisingly beautiful tone.



And it would be impossible the review an album such as this, and not mention what is arguably Alice's finest track (and if not the finest, certainly in the top 3 tracks), that Alice has committed to recording. Alice's rendition of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme", is utterly breathtaking.....the theme here, is obviously Love, but not only love in the emotional sense, but love as a much broader and more affecting element of our lives. To the non-believers, this will sound like a page from a 60's hippy diary, and maybe to some extent it is. But if you are willing to enter this with a completely open mind and no preconceptions, I defy anyone to not be truly moved by this breathtaking piece of music. In some parts it feels like a deeply personal show of affection for the memory of John Coltrane. deep spirituality, and intense and pained at times, this is music for the head and the heart...(with the central idea of progression leading to an understanding of spirituality through meditation), it is arguably one of the most important jazz tracks ever devised because it is, a playing of simple yet searching, reflective and complex compostion that leads (ultimately) to enlightenment. Its the sheer gorgeousness & ingenious symmetrical relationship, tonally, texturally and emotionally, that makes this such a truly stunning experience, and the swirling, whirling string sections only merely serve to highten the experience. in fact I'd even go so far as to say that this has the potential to transcend jazz, and (almost) be likened to a harmonic form of expression, that negates the use of words, and instead focuses purely on audible sound. And the rendition contained on this album, is worthy of being mentioned in the same lofty accolades heaped upon John Coltrane's original version.



I have to say that even I was surprised at exactly how utterly amazing this album was. I have around 9-10 Alice Coltrane albums, and I have no doubt in my mind that this is most definitely one of her greatest musical achievements. It's in turns heartfelt, organic and an album that deeply immersed in spirituality and introspection. And on the other had its incredibly passionate, moving, impeccably perfromed and has that curiously odd 'frozen in time' feel, where although the music was recorded at the beginning of the 70's, it doesn't feel dated or musically out of step. But be warned...this (I feel) is an album for those that have already fallen in love, with Alice's music, and is geared towards those that are (Like me) continuing to build their collection of her work, as the high price tag here, with frighten off all but the most committed fans. In fact anyone new to her work, would be much better served starting with a 'best of', as they may find the one album more than suffices. If you do decide to go down that route, then I very strongly recommend: "The Music of Alice Coltrane: Astral Meditations", as the best compilation of her work, comprising of her most regarded work, with the best tracks from this album included. But for the rest of those, who are Alice fans, and already have several albums under their belt, don't let the high price tag put you off....this is easily one of her most essential albums, extremely highly reccommended!!!"