John Coltrane Quartet: Africa/Brass (Acoustic Sounds 180g) Vinyl LP

1961: John Coltrane had just left Atlantic Records and signed with a fledgling jazz label called Impulse, and to mark the occasion, enlisted a large ensemble for two days at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in New Jersey. Coltrane worked with the legendary engineer on many of his Prestige sessions in the 1950s, and would continue to work with him after Africa / Brass for the rest of his life. The epic “Africa” encompasses the entire A side, and it’s as cinematic as you’ll ever hear Trane, with Elvin Jones’ hefty swaying beat and huge swells of tuba, french horn, trumpet and trombone transcribed from McCoy Tyner’s piano chords. Coltrane stretches the limits of what you can do without a single chord change for almost 17 minutes, conjuring some of the darkest vibes of his career. Side B features a laidback take on traditional English folk tune “Greensleeves” and another Trane original, “Blues Minor.” Also features Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard and Reggie Workman. Remastered audiophile-grade 180g pressing, recommended.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• Acoustic Sounds edition remastered from original analog tapes
• housed in tip-on gatefold sleeve w/ liner notes
• original release year: 1961
• music label: Impulse! 2026

reviewed by nick nightingale 11/2018