Alice Coltrane: World Galaxy Vinyl LP

sixth studio album from multi-instrumentalist Alice Coltrane. World Galaxy was originally recorded in late 1971 and is considered to be one of the most important and strongest records from Coltrane's entire music career. The early 70s was rife with jazz rock and avant-garde jazz, but Coltrane forged her own path. Her's was a singular strain of spiritual jazz that bore her own signature as well as her late husband's influence. For World Galaxy she went into the studio with drummer Ben Riley, bassist Reggie Workman, violinist Leroy Jenkins, saxophonist Frank Lowe, and timpanist Elayne Jones in addition to a string orchestra of 16 to help her realize her latest vision. Coltrane herself plays piano, harp, and organ, sometimes playing multiple instruments in a single track. She takes a post-modal approach to John Coltrane's signature tune, "My Favorite Things." She moves undauntedly between organ, piano and harp as the melody is turned inside out, the strings adding to her otherworldly take on the classic. The trilogy of the Galaxies ("Galaxy Around Olodumare, in Turiya and in Satchidananda") that make up the heart of the album are soothing and hypnotic, their beautiful washes of color falling like water. Another Coltrane signature, "A Love Supreme," closes out the album. The funky take might catch the listener off guard, but the breakbeat driven organ solo from Coltrane is well worth sticking around for. Five tracks in all. Released by Impulse! and housed in a getfold sleeve.

• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Impulse! 1972 / 2015

reviewed by Cool Hand 02/2016