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Each time I pick up my soprano sax (for over 30 years now), the influence of Pharoah's playing on this album, is with me. What can I say. This is the music that forever turned me on to Jazz, Pharoah Sanders, and of course, Alice Coltrane.First hearing it nearly 40 years ago, as a young hippy in Boulder, my girlfriend & I endlessly looping it on our eight-track, Alice's harp glissandos & Pharoah's simple, yet incredibly powerful soloing, forever imprinted upon me just how deeply spiritual a connection music can reflect.I still find myself taken to a peaceful, yet intense place, every time I hear even some of this great music. It was this deepness & intensity of soul, spirit, and primordial universality, that spurred me to pick up the saxophone, (& flute), and inspires me to this day.That this album is not mentioned in the same breath with "A Love Supreme", & "Kind of Blue", by enough music lovers, is truly bewildering. It is a classic, and one of the most beautiful albums ever recorded.
The listener may have a sense of being right there in the studio with Alice and her group of fantastic musicians. "Journey in Satchidananda" was my introduction to Alice Coltrane. Her music never ceases to amaze even after repeated listenings. All I can say about this cd is pack your bags and expect the unexpected on this musical tour of the spiritual realms. This cd goes well with a big cup of tea and your favorite companion or pet nearby.
I have heard similar material that is heavy on the Eastern sounds that fail miserably because they cross the line from genuine into something that was too far over the cosmic edge, attempting to sound full of wonder and ending up sounding sickly sweet - the equivalent of drinking from a Karo corn syrup. I'm keeping this short n' sweet. I have a fairly large collection of John Coltrane's music, including some of the more "difficult" stuff he did with Alice toward the end of his life. There isn't an overkill on the wondrous harp glissandos. If you like this, you might also enjoy Big Fun by Miles Davis. This is a wonderful CD.
I'll be playing this a lot. I'm a musician and 40 year student of jazz music. In fact, I have Alice Coltrane's and Carlos Santana's Illuminations in mind as I type this.Alice and her company of musicians pull it off in this setting. Playing this type of music and keeping it genuine and sincere is definitely a challenge. The sound is just right, the keys of the pieces, it's all very beautiful and well executed. It occurs to me that this music probably wouldn't have been possible without the death of John Coltrane.
It is also full of Eastern influence - though Miles' music is a bit darker and definitely very electric.
Through this "community" I came across a man by the name of Louis Alemayehu. The only reason why we don't get along with everyone and everything is because we've forgotten that Oneness. To me, they have a fatter, richer sound. I knew I had to have it. Maybe I'm just exaggerating, but the more I listen to it, the more I realize that this album was always in my life even if I didn't know it.
Maybe I'm just nostalgic, but I prefer the big, clumsy vinyl records over CDs. He left a comment on one of my reviews that I really appreciated. If it's at all possible, I would rather own the vinyl version rather than the CD version. I was at Home.my True Home.the place/the space between the Visible and the Invisble.the Realm of the Infinite.the Realm where I knew after reading Louis Alemayehu's reviews, I was One with him, as well.Maybe I'll never meet the man. Just like in any community, there are some people that I resonate more with than to others.
It doesn't mean it's not there, it's just not present in an 'ordinary' level of awareness.I guess that's why we each must answer the call of our heart and become extraordinary.But anyway, this album 'reintroduced' itself to my spirit/my soul. It's like this. But it's great because you know that the merchandise there will be top notch.I asked him if he has this album."Yeah, babe.I got three.c'mon in, I'll give you a deal."The real deal is that I now own this incredible record. I don't know.
Maybe I'm just hearing what I want to hear. But it's just amazing how we all can influence one another if we're open to it. What I really like about Amazon is that it truly does belong to the people. Have you ever met someone you took an instant liking to. We've all had that experience because we're all One on a universal level. I found myself laying on the couch just letting the music ooze itself through my skin, into and through my cells, into and through every atom until finally, I was One with it. Most of his stock is used, but it's high quality. Afterall, we are more alike than we are different.
So I looked at his personal profile and at some of the reviews he had written and came upon this album.I listened to the samples and immediately the groove moved deep into my soul. So, Louis, if you ever read this review, thanks a lot, man, I appreciate it.I hope you give this music a try. Who knows.So I make a phone call to a guy I know who still sells records. I thought I was obsessive when it came to records, but this cat has a picture of himself next to the word. Maybe I never need to. It'll touch your soul and center your spirit if you let it.Thank you Alice Coltrane.I hope that wherever you now are, you and John are continuing to create Eternal Music.Peace & Blessings, everyone.john 'the Light Coach'
I repeat: One of the Best Albums Ever Recorded
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