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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

A Love Supreme

John Coltrane

1965

A Love Supreme
Album Summary

A Love Supreme is an album by American jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. He recorded it in one session on December 9, 1964, at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, leading a quartet featuring pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones. A Love Supreme was released by Impulse! Records in January 1965. One of Coltrane's bestselling albums, it is widely considered his masterpiece.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.62

Votes

17582

Genres

  • Jazz

Reviews

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Apr 14 2021
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5

A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME A LOVE SUPREME

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Aug 20 2022
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5

”If God had an ipod I would be on his playlist” - John Coltrane, 1965

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Dec 05 2020
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1

this might be a technical masterpiece but let's be real, jazz is annoying

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Feb 18 2022
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2

The more I listen to jazz from being exposed via this site, the more I'm realizing that I just don't really like jazz. I can appreciate the musicianship, but it's just not something I'd choose to listen to.

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May 15 2021
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5

What can be said about this album that hasnt already been said? Its absolutley incredible. Im not a jazz expert, and have only listened to about 4 dozen jazz albums, so I dont understand the music theory of it all, I just know that its an incredible experience to listen to this.

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Aug 31 2021
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5

Takes several listens to really get, especially for those not used to jazz. First track gets improvised, demonstrating Coltrane's insane talent as a sax player. Love the "A Love Supreme" underlying the entire track, starting off the song clearly then stepping out of the shadows via Coltrane's vocals at the end. Second track starts taking an intense turn. This becomes a very powerful album, with Coltrane's attempt to play as though God was speaking through their instruments. It gets crazy from time to time, invoking several instances of emotion and power, like the drum solo in the first part and near the end of Pursuance. In fact, the last track Psalm is entirely a consistent preach which goes along to written lyrics spoken through sax. I wish I could explain the theory behind this work and what makes this "modal jazz," but I'll save that for another few years (hopefully). For now, I find this to be an amazing piece of art with wonderful diversity that demonstrate both immense talent and powerful messages that convey deep emotion to the listener.

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Feb 13 2021
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5

One of the most important records ever made, John Coltrane's A Love Supreme was his pinnacle studio outing, that at once compiled all of the innovations from his past, spoke to the current of deep spirituality that liberated him from addictions to drugs and alcohol, and glimpsed at the future innovations of his final two and a half years.

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Sep 16 2021
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1

Thank god that was short, I couldn't handle much more. Occasionally that was a good bit but then it would be overthrown by someone who fell on the piano or pushed over a bass.

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Feb 20 2021
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5

It’s Coltrane at his best, in what world was I not going to give this album 5 stars? There have been so many positive reviews written about this album that I’m not sure how much else so have to say but it really is that good. Everybody plays so well together and the solos are perfect. My criteria for a 10 is basically that I don’t think the album could be any better and this album certainly fits that description. Favorite songs: Yes Least favorite songs: No 10/10

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Jul 06 2021
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2

Jazz is a lot like England's "golden generation" of footballers. On paper, there's a lot of superstars but in practice, each player seems to be out of sync with each other and playing to their own tune.

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Mar 24 2022
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1

I like some jazz and I like some jazz less. This is the type where 3 or 4 musicians appear to get together and do their own thing without any interest or care what the others are doing. Personally I'd rather listen to an orchestra tuning up.

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Jul 05 2021
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5

Famous sax player Joshua Redman said 'A Love Supreme is the first jazz album I ever heard, and I really hope it is the last I ever hear.' This is the best piece of jazz music that will ever exist.

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Dec 29 2021
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5

An absolute monolith. Gnomic on first hearing, enlightening after multiple.

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Jul 05 2021
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3

A one-time contender for my favourite jazz album, I've cooled on this over the last couple of years. Not that I think it's anything resembling bad. Frequently funky, surprising and exciting, the closest I can get to laying my finger on the root of my reservations is that those qualities are rarely co-present and that seems like part of the design, which also seems to be deliberately challenging and as a result stops me from getting transported the way Coltrane is. Except when he chants "A love supreme". Despite its simplicity--probably because of it--that always hits me as the most transcendent moment.

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Jan 29 2024
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1

01) A Love Supreme, pt 1. - Acknowledgement - 3,0 02) A Love Supreme, pt. 2 - Resolution - 2,0 03) A Love Supreme, pt. 3. - Pursuance - 2,0 04) A Love Supreme, pt. 4. - Psalm 3,0 TOTAL: 2,50 (25/100) God I hate jazz! It's like my left ear is fighting with my right one. Every instrument plays it's own tune. I know this is worthy album, but it's a big no for me.

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Feb 09 2021
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5

Jazz. Raw, unapologetic, beautiful, soulful, all of those other words that have certainly been said about it over the years, and more. This album is great, and definitely deserves a high spot on this list.

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Jun 25 2024
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4

This was a really crisp and musical album. I'm not very well-versed in jazz, but the riffs and solos in the songs were fun and bouncy, all while blending into the chord progressions really beautifully. I hadn't listened to Coltrane before, even though I'd heard his name, so it was a really cool piece of music history to listen to him. I also took the opportunity to read about his life and career and it's so clear that he lived and breathed jazz and his passion for music was the reason his work was so groundbreaking.

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Dec 02 2023
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4

No. 54/1001 Acknowledgement 3/5 Resolution 4/5 Pursuance 3/5 Psalm 4/5 Average: 3,5 Jazz is not my favorite genre. But I can appreciate the incredible musicianship on display here.

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Mar 07 2022
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5

John Coltrane, already well-establish as a one of jazz's greats, wanted to go in a different direction after his last album. Leaning more into avant-garde jazz, Coltrane blended elements of faith and religion to create what is effectively a new subgenre of jazz: Spiritual Jazz. More spiritual in form than in substance, A Love Supreme is a piece that honor's Coltrane's relationship with God. It is reflective, passionate, and amazing in it's music. Not only that, but this record would mark a move into free jazz, for both Coltrane and Impulse! Records. Context aside, this is a beautiful jazz record. It's a little weird, but makes up for it in spades with expert use of dynamics and improvisation that only seasoned jazz musicians could follow through on. Excellence had never sounded so good. God bless.

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May 03 2024
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2

4 guys got on stage and just played their own shit for half an hour. If anxiety had a musical sound, it would be this. I'll give it a 1 star bump because of the technical musicianship of the band members and the undeniable influence he had.

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Apr 23 2024
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2

I’m trying. Truly. I’m trying to understand jazz and appreciate it. I know that John Coltrane is a brilliant musician and rightfully revered. But I simply don’t “get” this type of jazz. To me, it just sounds like a cacophony of disparate musicians, and I struggle to find anything resembling a melody to grab on to.

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Jan 07 2025
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5

Powerful and intricate, I could listen to this 100 times and continue to glean something different each time.

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Jun 27 2024
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5

I have a hard time with a lot of jazz albums, but this one just owns it from start to finish. Everything about this album is excellent - from the rhythms to the sound of the recording and of course the songs themselves. I understand why this is a classic.

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Sep 24 2022
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5

Not only a spectacular jazz album, A Love Supreme is a beautiful expression of the relationship between man and God. Coltrane’s saxophone wails and sobs like a sinner yearning to be cleansed.

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Jul 28 2022
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5

From the first sound of the gong you are aware that you’re about to witness greatness. Jones’ cymbal washing and later use of timpani is breathtaking, but it is nonetheless Coltrane that stands out as the main character in what can easily be described as his magnum opus. Another milestone by Coltrane that still stands tall almost 60 years later.

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Apr 30 2022
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5

Another groundbreaking album and modal jazz classic. This album in four movement takes a more avant garde approach to the form with its experimental rhythms and improvisation. Though less melodic than his work on Kind of Blue, this album is very listenable and has a lot to offer the casual jazz listener. This is one of those albums that rewards multiple listens.

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Apr 13 2022
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5

Spiritual. If you're in the right frame of mind, hard to describe it as anything else.

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Apr 11 2022
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5

Rare among jazz albums in that I feel like I genuinely get it, I think it's a masterpiece. This might not be considered a ringing endorsement given my general ignorance, but I'll stand by it.

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Mar 15 2022
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5

Wow. I've never listened to this, but have always wanted to. What a masterpiece. It is such a beautiful expression of humanity. Always surprising, but in a way that keeps you in the piece. This could be listened to both in the background of a coffee shop and on head phones in the dark. Gorgeous.

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Jan 26 2022
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5

Amazing album, fantastic playing, great sound. Still amused by how underwhelmed the singing is after such sparkling music. They sound like they're high schoolers being made to recite something. But hey, it's honest, it's pure, it's amazing.

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Dec 13 2021
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5

Monumental. From a simple theme grows jazz played with a sense of spiritual purpose, instilled with passion, intent, and real feeling. You won't find dance hits here, but careful listening will reward those willing to do so.

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Sep 22 2021
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5

Oh yes. This is sitting in a smoky bar, drinking a whiskey, and watching the band wail onstage. I am about this life.

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Sep 20 2021
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5

I had heard this album a few times and, though I was a fan of parts 1 & 4, I found part 3, with its squonky bits and 2 drum solos a little much. However, on re-listen I like the way that the drums set up an awesome McCoy Tyner solo and in general, I love Elvin Jones’ loose and impromptu playing throughout. I’ve had other Coltrane albums on high rotation over the years but I’m glad that 1001 forced me to listen again this one again, with greater concentration. He takes post-bop jazz and makes it feel spiritual. It's a shame he died a couple of years later.

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May 22 2021
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5

Gilt als Meisterwerk, nicht wegzudenken aus dem Kanon, gottgleich die Verehrung. Tue mich aber seit jeher schwer mit dieser Aufnahme (der Blue Train fährt cooler). An manchen Tagen hat “A Love Supreme“ die Kraft, graue Wolken vor den schmutzigen Fenster hinfort zu blasen. An anderen stellt sich eher ein Gefühl des Aushaltens ein. Das meist permanent hohe Tempo zwingt zum konzentrierten Hinhören, eine Aufgabe, für die es manchmal eine Kraft und Kontemplation braucht, die man aufzubringen nicht immer vermag. Musik als Rechenaufgabe oder Rätsel - faszinierend und (über)fordernd zugleich. Aber im guten Moment das magisch unbeschreibliche Begreifen ohne je eine Note zu kennen. Ehrlich diffuse Gefühle; selten verrückt, wie die Platte je nach subjektiver Empfindung morpht. Aber ein Sturm ist kein Buchhalter, sondern bläst und tobt unverzeihlich, wo und wie er will. Krasse 4.5

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May 22 2021
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5

Schon oft gehört - aber wohl nie oft genug. Tatsächlich gibt es jedes Mal was neues zu entdecken auf dieser Reise, die noch so harmonisch und konzentriert beginnt, um dann immer stärker am Geschmack der Freiheit zu schnuppern und die Frage zu suchen deren Antwort 42 lautet, sich selbst in der Gleichung auflösen will und schließlich eins wird mit der kosmischen Existenz.

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Jan 13 2021
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5

Already listened to it but I will continue to listen to it many, many times

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Feb 23 2021
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5

I was working while listening to this, and unlike Black Saint, I wasn't distracted by any obnoxious muted horns, so I'd say I liked this very much. I also love using commas, apparently. 5 stars babeeeeee

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Feb 23 2021
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5

This is is, this is the one. This and Kind of Blue. If you had to pick two jazz albums to take with you before jazz disappeared, it’d probably be one of those. It’s truly an achievement in sound, playing, recording, all of it. It’s no wonder this is cited in so many lists. Favorite song: all Least favorite: none

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Jun 17 2021
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5

One of the most well-known Jazz records for a reason. It's not my first listen, and it won't be my last. I have not listened to a lot of John Coltrane, but this is a great album.

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Mar 22 2025
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4

Grew on me a ton second listen, Psalm is so beautiful

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Jun 25 2024
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4

Love these style records. I’ve been playing more jazz in general but never sit down and throw on a full record. I think after I finish this full list I might find a best of jazz list as my next project.

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Jan 27 2024
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4

As a saxophonist, it almost feels criminal not to give Coltrane 5/5, but even though I am amazed by the techniques and improvisation that I could not dream if doing, Coltrane's style of jazz has never been my favourite. Still 4/5 because I can hear the influence of Coltrane through much other jazz that I do enjoy very much

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Jun 01 2021
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4

A beautiful masterpiece. Coltrane's expression in this album is conveyed from every complex section to the most subtle of ditties. Pt. III - Pursuance is a spiritual journey. Jazz is not my forte or most expansive genre, but it doesn't take a trained ear to know Coltrane's magnus opus is musical genius.

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Sep 16 2022
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3

I enjoy jazz when accompanied by great food, or good conversations with wonderful friends. I also use it sometimes at work but not typically as my focal point of attention. I enjoyed this album, my least favorite being in part I when they keep vocalizing “a love supreme” and I was hoping this wasn’t a trend to continue. Luckily it wasn’t, I loved part II but I think part III was my favorite with how it started with the drums and had all these sections building.

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Nov 17 2024
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2

I get it, this is classic John Coltrane, supremely sophisticated syncopation, rampant rattling rhythms. It's subversive to the wholesome big bad era that preceded. The jazz aficionados are lined up, looking down their noses, obliging me to rate this a 5. To me this is just jazzy, in the pejorative sense. It's like having an annoying squeaking sound in the car you try to root out and can't find, then you try to ignore it, but it wears out your subconscious mind. It's like cacophonous, chaotic traffic in Kathmandu. I do love horror-infused music, like Skinny Puppy, so maybe I should listen again and reframe it as intentionally terrorizing droning.

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May 07 2024
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2

I'm not super versed into jazz. I'm a barely casual enjoyer of the popular stuff. I like other Coltrane albums but this feels super weird and erratic for me. With runs going on for a long time to weird places, hitting accidentals that throw my ears off. Everything is purposeful in his album but the language he is speaking in, I'm not fluent in.

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Mar 05 2024
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2

Couldn't finish. Too much anxiety

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Jul 05 2022
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2

Sorry Jazz, you are just not my thing. It’s not you, it’s me.

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Apr 27 2021
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2

I am still trying to get more into jazz. This was an okay listen, and it wasn't necessarily difficult to get through but I'm not sure if I enjoyed it. Still, I appreciate the talent here.

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Mar 27 2025
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5

Obvious classic. Easy five stars.

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Mar 27 2025
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5

I’ve listened to this album for nearly 30 years and still find something new in it.

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Mar 25 2025
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5

A++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS ALBUM IS A MASTERPIECE I WILL TAKE NO NOTES!!! Top 5 favorites album of all time. I don't think there will ever be a time in my life when this album doesn't swallow me up whole. When I die please bury me in A Love Supreme.

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Mar 25 2025
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5

I mean, what hasn't already been said? This album paved the way, it's possibly the most famous Jazz record ever published, it's genre-defining, the copy list of praises goes on. I first listened to this album at age 14 because I got into Jazz rap (thanks Rejjie Snow) and went down the Mac Miller - Joey Bada$$ - Madlib - Duke Ellington pipeline. This record still fucks. I still enjoy it uninterruped, but honestly? There's even BETTER Coltrane Records out there: Ballads, Coltrane and Ellington, Impulse (especially). That's what makes him so good. His most famous album isn't his most accessible nor his most interesting, but it's still a solid 9 out of 10. It would be wrong to give it a 4 even though there's likely albums on here with a 4 I *personally* enjoy and listen to more. My own taste doesn't deserve to swing this rating too much. Have your 5 stars, John lad. Time to go listen to Wise One (your best track).

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Mar 25 2025
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5

Any negative reviews for this album are part of an elaborate scheme by big renewable energy and big truck transportation to besmirch the name of COAL TRAIN!!!!!

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Mar 25 2025
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5

The rolling drums on part three are really a stand out of the album. But the entire thing is phenomenal. Part one is such a phenomenal, deep layered opening, it's loud attention grabbing and eye opening. Part 4 is is an equally good closer, my intimate and subtle but still enthralling. Part 2 is easily the weakest, if it wasn't a Coltrane album I might say it's forgettable but it obviously isn't and probably has a hidden depth i don't fully appreciate. 9/10

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Mar 24 2025
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5

If you look in a dictionary for "drum powerhouse", you'll find a picture of the liner credits of Elvin Jones' performance in this album. Just brutal.

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Mar 20 2025
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5

Stellar just stellar First jazz record. Really dig it. Another genre I need to learn more about

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Mar 19 2025
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5

Arguably Jazz’ greatest triumph. I can’t add anything that hasn’t already been said about A Love Supreme. It’s sublime and can be a borderline spiritual experience listening to it.

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Mar 18 2025
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5

It would take a hundred more listens to have anything at all to say

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Mar 17 2025
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5

Extraordinary. Stunning. A mantra for all time. Pure expression, passion, soul and fearlessness

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Mar 15 2025
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5

This is a stunning jazz album. It's one of the best ones out there.

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Mar 13 2025
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5

Look man. It’s a five. I know it’s a five, it’s John Coltrane. I’ll get back to you when I’m done, but look at my fucking highest rated albums. I know what I’m gonna give it. I don’t need to listen to the album to give it a rating, but I’m gonna because it’s gonna kick ass. Update: FIVE. STARS.

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Mar 11 2025
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5

Wow, I am impressed, how much I did enjoyed and liked this album! :)

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Mar 04 2025
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5

I don't know enough about the how and why of this album but you can just hear the mastery oozing from each note. Great solos, perfect ensemble and really makes you feel sophisticated listening to it haha

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Mar 04 2025
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5

6 étoiles. Chef d'oeuvre. Fucké et digeste, l'album qui m'a ouvert les yeux au Jazz avec un J majuscule. Immense.

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Mar 04 2025
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5

Un album mythique et mystique. Pour décoller et planer très haut. La basse obstinée et l'incantation de la track 1 me hantent à jamais.

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Mar 02 2025
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5

A piece of art by the John Coltrane quartet. Somehow spiritual but deeply emotional. Coltrane and his peers made a record for the ages.

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Feb 27 2025
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5

It'd a classic for a reason. Just great all the way through.

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Feb 24 2025
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5

What an album, a complete jazz masterclass. It's hard to decide which instrument is more impressive, drums, keyboard or the saxophone. The album is short and doesn't mess around, not even for a second. It's half an hour of action, all the way through. Is there a higher form of music than this? Highly unlikely. These people push the boundaries of music theory, virtuosity and improvisation to the very limits. Our role is just to witness what can be perceived audibly, to learn and to admire.

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Feb 24 2025
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5

Coltrane defied the laws of physics and helped to define Jazz. This is an important album.

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Feb 22 2025
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5

I love Coltrane's playing style. "Psalm" is the highlight here, but everything is great. 5 stars

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Feb 22 2025
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5

‘a La supreme’? I’m sorry but we already covered that La’s album for 1001 and it only had one decent song in There She Goes. Not supreme at all! Other than that, this is a pretty blissful record with transcendent playing that holds up as one of the most essential of the Jazz genre.

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Feb 21 2025
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5

absolutely goated with the sauce swag style

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Feb 18 2025
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5

Ännu ett ikoniskt jazz-album, för mig inte lika viktigt som Kind of Blue men det är ändå ett album jag har lyssnat på många gånger och gärna lyssnar på igen.

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Feb 17 2025
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5

Short, but oh so sweet. My only problem with this album is having the drum solo from Pursuance only in my right ear.

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Feb 17 2025
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5

I rate Acknowledgment a 5 star because I really love jazz and the saxophone sounds really good and its very relaxing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I rate Resolution a 5 star because I really love jazz and the saxophone sounds really good and its very relaxing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and the bells are very good.

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Feb 15 2025
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5

I wish Giant Steps was on here either instead or in addition. (God forbid we have two Coltrane albums on here, gotta make room for the NINE NEIL YOUNG ALBUMS) Anyway, this is one of those albums that is too important to talk about. It’s spiritual in a way that makes sense even to this bitter agnostic.

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Feb 15 2025
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5

Again I wish I knew more about jazz but this is one of the few jazz records I own and idk I love it. Everyone knows this record but I don't care it's really cool. I'm getting the feeling there will be very little jazz on this list in general so it's just something I'm gonna try to look into on my own.

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Feb 15 2025
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5

This album is perfect in a way that makes me want to stop ranking things and just allow them to exist in their magical, mystical, actual spiritual perfection. This album crawls into your synapses and massages microscopic bits that you'd long forgotten. It's soul salve. Chant with me: A love supreme. A love supreme. A love supreme.

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Jan 05 2025
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5

It's torture for me to listen to any kind of free form or bebop jazz. However, I know objectively that this is a masterpiece of the genre...so it gets a 5.

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Feb 11 2025
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5

My favorite piece of recorded music. Perfect in every way.

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Feb 11 2025
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5

This might be the greatest jazz record of all time. I’m not religious in any way, but when I listen to music as beautiful as this, I can’t help but wonder if I’m missing something.

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Feb 11 2025
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5

One of the greatest works of human creation

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Feb 04 2025
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5

Pretty experimental, lots of cool stuff going on.

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Feb 04 2025
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5

I first heard this on a slate video and now it’s one of my favourite jazz records

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Jan 26 2025
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5

prototypical jazz classic. difficult to find any real shortcomings. maybe just not as transcendently brilliant as peak miles davis/mingus.

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Jan 27 2025
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5

Super classic jazz album, and one of the ones I listen to the most after probably Kind of Blue. I don't have the jazz savviness to write a more in depth review about how good this is--I'm just an amateur passing fan in this category, but about as near to perfect as you can get for this style. Wild and frenetic but controlled in some chaotic way. Awesome.

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