John Coltrane - Sun Ship Reis (5 tracks) +Album Reviews

The Sun Ship, headed straight for the molten core

G B | Connecticut | 07/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sun Ship is one of my favorite "late" Coltrane albums; this was among the last recordings made by the Classic Quartet, and strikes just the perfect balance between the burning intensity and expressionism of Ascension and the modality of earlier recordings. Coltrane's mastery over the tenor saxophone is complete here, screaming and honking with ferocity as the thundering rhythm section of Tyner and Jones pushes him forward and upward on "Sun Ship" (the agitated, tense theme of this tune is awesome) and "Amen". The prayer-like ballads, "Attaining" and "Dearly Beloved", are just as volcanic. And the closer, "Ascent", features a lengthy (but not over-long) bass solo which sets up Coltrane's entrance perfectly as he proceeds to launch into the stratosphere. This is heady music, and not for the faint at heart; but those who like A Love Supreme will find a lot of touchstones here, and some of the other factors that turn people off from late Coltrane (Pharaoh Sanders, the horn dialogues) are absent. There's just the classic four here, taking the Quartet format as far as it will go. This and the John Coltrane Quartet Plays are perfect intros to this period in Trane's music. Absolutely essential to any Coltrane collection!"

Coltrane's Tribute

Heavy Theta | Lorton, Va United States | 08/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is often described as transitional, as Coltrane moved from the classic quartet to the undiluted energy music of his final phase. But it's title gives away another important aspect of these sessions. John Coltrane's was hugely influenced by John Gilmore, and even took lessons from the less celebrated virtuoso just as he was setting up the quartet. Gilmore spent his career with Sun Ra, and '65-'66 was the height of the Arkestra's awesome power. It was the time of Gilmore's most adventurous solos, making sounds that only the brilliant Coltrane could hope to emulate. It would not be the first time that Coltrane managed to harness his influences into a uniquely successful vehicle."

Coltrane at his most powerful

hedged | NY United States | 12/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although "A Love Supreme" is generally regarded as Coltrane's most emotional album, "Sun Ship" tops it in intensity and passion. The music is volatile, from lush McCoy Tyner passages and Coltrane themes, to Elvin Jones's furious percussion and Coltrane's atonal improvisation. Coltrane's solos on the title track and "Amen" are guaranteed to give you goosebumps, if you "get" his later stuff."

The Last Great Quartet Recording

Anthony P Robinson | Dallas, TX | 09/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are very few recordings in jazz which have the power and the swing of the first cut: Sun Ship. What is being demonstrated here is the supreme mastery of the rhythm section of the Quartet. At this point it is difficult to comprehend how advanced harmonically was the Quartet; they had redefined the concept of swing but never lost its soul. There are of course other rhythm sections as great but none who took it this far without going over the edge. I have to believe that Hendrix must have heard some of these recordings before he recorded Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland. Sun Ship is the last great recording of this group and it has not received its due because of the greatness of A Love Supreme, Transition and others. But I think this is a mistake; in some ways their grasp of modality and atonality is more mature, a little tighter than it is on Transition and some of it is more adventurous than A Love Supreme. It was 1965 and American Society was in an uproar. It is a testament to the greatness of these musicians that they not only heard so much of what was going on inside of them but also so much of what was going on outside of them at the same time."

Leaving known space... never to return

Eric Krupin | Salt Lake City, UT | 09/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The classic quartet made the most epic artistic voyage of any jazz group in the history of the music. This is where that voyage ended, at the extreme limit of non-free jazz. As you might imagine - especially if you've experienced the dimensional transport of "A Love Supreme" - it's harrowingly emotional music, the sound of four artists stripping their souls raw. As much as I respect the products of Coltrane's free period, one has to wonder if perhaps McCoy Tyner was right in his apparent conviction that anything beyond the eruptive catharsis represented by the likes of "Sun Ship" would be something no longer quite in the realm of music.

His chord-pounding through the tumult here is some of his most astonishing work. And Coltrane couldn't have blown any more intensely if he were literally on fire - he often sounds like he's trying to explode his saxophone from the inside by sheer musical force. But Elvin Jones manifests himself on this recording like a god with drumsticks - his playing is so rhythmically and sonically volatile that it's a little frightening. To use the parlance of 1965, when this apocalypse was recorded, it's one heavy trip.

So if you're the kind of Coltrane listener who could only handle the occasional squeals on "A Love Supreme" because of the larger atmosphere of spiritual communion was reassuring, be on notice - that despite the song titles - this record won't be a warm bath for your soul. Because the ship Coltrane is commanding here isn't powered by the sun, it's *heading towards* it."

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	John Coltrane Sun Ship (Reis) Genres: Jazz, Pop Track Listings (5) - Disc #1 Sun Ship Dearly Beloved Amen Attaining Ascent
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