Coltrane, Alice: Journey In Satchidananda (Verve Acoustic Sounds) LP

Alice Coltrane had become a disciple of Swami Satchidananda, which explains the title of her 1971 masterpiece Journey in Satchidananda, recorded in November 1970 (except for the lone live track "Isis and Osiris") and issued in January of 1971. It was recorded at the Coltrane home studio in Dix Hills, New York. Coltrane and Ed Michel produced the album. Album photography was by Chuck Stewart and Ed Michel. The band for the studio tracks included Alice Coltrane on piano and harp; Pharoah Sanders on soprano saxophone and percussion; Cecil McBee on double bass; Rashied Ali on drums; Tulsi on tanpura; and Majid Shabazz on bells and tambourine. For "Isis and Osiris," recorded live July 4, 1970, at The Village Gate in New York City, the group was: Alice Coltrane on harp; Pharoah Sanders on soprano saxophone and percussion; Charlie Haden on double bass; Rashied Ali on drums; and Vishnu Wood on oud. All songs were by Coltrane.

Allmusic notes that the landmark Journey to Satchidananda reveals just how far the pianist and widow of John Coltrane had come in the three years after his death. "The compositions here are wildly open and droning figures built on whole tones and minor modes. And while it's true that one can definitely hear her late husband's influence on this music, she wouldn't have had it any other way. Pharoah Sanders' playing on the title cut, 'Shiva-Loka,' and 'Isis and Osiris' (which also features the Vishnu Wood on oud and Charlie Haden on bass) is gloriously restrained and melodic."

Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets.