Ascension is a record that resists easy categorization. It is a dizzying, polyphonic plexus of voices, each belonging to a different generation of jazz musicians. The record is as advanced as the most cutting-edge contemporary jazz, and it demands a serious effort to understand and appreciate its many nuances. To the casual listener, Ascension may seem impenetrable, but to those who have lived with and enjoyed Mr. Coltrane’s work, it is a guaranteed soul rinsing.

At its core, Ascension is a reevaluation of old song formal values and a positive assertion of the heretofore unconsidered values of what could be called New Emerging Forces. The record is truly modern, and it pushes the boundaries of what is possible in jazz. Each soloist is given a few choruses with the rhythm quartet, followed by free blowing ensemble passages. The whole work is keyed to a minor blues, and there is impact and release, communion and response, and an emphasis on the unmentionable.

One of the most striking things about Ascension is the way it introduces several of the most vital new voices in jazz. These musicians were largely unknown outside downtown New York, but they are making waves with their innovative approaches to the genre. Mr. Coltrane accomplished something truly remarkable, setting the stage for a new era of jazz experimentation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the genre. Ascension is not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to take the journey, it is a transcendent experience that will leave you breathless.

Stefan Mohr