The 1961 recordings with Coltrane’s classic quartet are truly of sublime beauty. And of a force that at that time still met with unprepared Jazz audiences: Criticism was hailing, the modal playing of Coltrane, the (always) irritating guest appearance of Eric Dolphy on the bass clarinet and also the length of pieces like ‘Chasin the Trane’, which had not been used to at all before, were not yet ready for the puristic-reactionary circles of the Jazz world.

Recorded exactly in the transition phase from Atlantic to Impulse within two weeks live in the Village Vanguard, we experience here a man on a mission: “I’ve got to write more music for the group. I’ve got to keep probing. There’s so much more to do.” Mr. Coltrane is quoted in the Liner Notes. Personally, I’m always excited about ‘Spiritual’ – a truly illuminating experience that shows the revolutionary strength of Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison, McCoy Tyner and John Coltrane. Music for Eternity.

Stefan Mohr