A Love Supreme

A beautiful odyssey through jazz history.

A religious experience. Moves almost orchestrally through moods and ideas. Gorgeous.

Kicking off with a simple announcement, this album slowly builds until it hits its groove and then sets off like raging bull and rarely lets up - the chanting of "a love supreme" in Acknowledgement provides a brief respite that is still positively exhilarating and surprising - until the long outro of Psalm. Spiritual, emotional, confessional, expressive, singular.

Ok... this is coming from someone who has never sat down to listen to a jazz album ever, knows next to nothing about music theory, and has long considered jazz boring and unlistenable: Jesus Christ that was incredible

TRUTH, BEAUTY, LOYALTY, the teachings of a street-soul Master. Impeccably channeled Ave divine, forever and ever amen! 5 stars

I am not a jazz aficionado. In fact I’m barely a novice. But I know what I like and I really really liked this.

one of the most important and best jazz albums.

First, I'll say that just a casual listen to this isn't going to seem anything that special. However, I've been in a few jazz clubs. If you put yourself there, completely immersed, likely having smoked on a full reefer just prior, and you're totally living inside the jazz, man, then... well...

Jazz standard masterpiece!

I like this music very much, but my musical palette really isn't developed enough to tell good jazz from bad. If you told me that this was one of the most important pieces of music ever recorded, I would nod and agree. But, then again, if you told me that this was part of the Lethal Weapon 2 score, and that this piece was written to play over a montage of Sgt. Riggs looking out over the beach, sullenly, after one of his relationships fell apart - I would nod and agree that that too was true.

Ett av de bästa jazzskivorna jag hört. Väldigt intressant rakt igenom, delvis tack vare att den bara var en halvtimma vilket jag tror är en bra längd för ett sådant album. Grymma instrumentalister. Vet ej vad mer man kan begära av ett sådant album.

Still one of my favorite Coltranes and favorite jazz albums of all time.

Fuck, what do you even say? Coltrane is a legend, and this record attests to that. The only thing preventing me from loving A Love Supreme even further is the piddling 32:47 runtime. This should have been hours-long. 5/5

I am far from a jazz aficionado but this is one of my favorite jazz albums.

One of the essential jazz records. Such an intense, yet passionate and endearing record that demonstrates Coltrane and his quartet's incredible musicianship. An enthralling love letter to spirituality.

Great.

Great album, so easy to tune out the rest of the distractions and get some shit done

So beautiful …a gem that Mr. Coltrane made for the world.

This is a pleasant 33 minutes of wonderful jazz music with elements of avant-garde and spirituality. The way the different instruments clash to produce a fantastic sound is unlike any other. The album definitely requires more than two listens. Still, John Coltrane's genius can not be understated. Best - A Love Supreme, Pt. I-IV Worse - N/A 4.75/5

This is in my top 10 albums of all time. Not just jazz albums, top 10 of all genres. A spiritual experience listening this every time.

Really listenable, loved drums when listening with over ear

The jazz album to play for all of those people who make the blanket statement of "I hate jazz music"; damn close to perfect.

Its just like sitting in a room with a few bad ass dudes while they jam. It sounds like masters at their craft applying their skills and having fun and it just happened to be recorded.

Great jazz album, maybe the greatest jazz album. 5/5

A Perfect Jazz classics

As good as it gets for those of us not quite committed enough to get into Jazz properly. An entry drug that is very very good but doesn't mean you're totally hooked.

How do they do this

Pure excellence

Great

Perfect Album FULL STOP

This took me two listens before it started clicking with me. Obviously, the muscianship here is impeccable, but as someone who listens to more mainstream music, stuff without a solid beat can be challenging (looking at you, Captain Beefheart). After I grasped the motif in A Love Supreme, however, the rest of the music seemed to gravitate around it and time measure started to matter less. I'm interested to see if I feel the same way after another experimental jazz album.

hosted jazz album, genre defining. such a good listen in any context

i now see why this is considered one of the best jazz records of all time.

9/10 Brilliant

Let this be my review: that Coltrane has 1 album on here, surrounded by 5 Cohens, 6 Costellos and 2 Coldplays is what's wrong with this world. Seriously. Not the Jazz album I am still waiting for, but one that made my day a better one.

What can I say, it’s a ten. A+

A monumental album, but I don't recommend this one as your entry into jazz. Try "Kind of Blue" or even better, Brubeck's "Time Out." Maybe some Thelonius Monk ("Brilliant Corners") or Charles Mingus ("Mingus Ah Um"). This one is a tough listen for the uninitiated. This is modal jazz, bordering on free jazz, and not background music. It can't be broken down into tracks, it's a single work, and it is a triumph, but if you're expecting "The Girl From Ipanema," you're going to have a hard time.

I can't say I expected two jazz albums in a row, but hey, I'm here for it. Back at the Chicken Shack was silly jazz, but now it's time for the serious stuff. It's time for what is arguably one of the most important and greatest jazz albums ever released, A Love Supreme by John Coltrane. I have consistently seen this album praised as being a masterpiece of jazz. Do I agree? Of course I do. Am I really going to deny this album the praise it deserves? No! This thing's amazing! Despite not having any lyrics aside from "A Love Supreme" in the first song, there's a feeling of raw emotion that comes from the music here. You can tell that this music meant a lot to Mr. Coltrane. The music by the way is an absolute marvel of musical prowess. The technical skills behind the instrument playing is beyond perfect. The album is only 33 minutes, and because of that, this one of the only albums I've ever listened to that makes me wish it was longer. Still, as it is, this thing is an absolute masterpiece. If you've never been able to get into jazz as a genre, I feel like this album would be a great way to get in to it. 5/5.

My initiation into spiritual jazz as a teenager, never looked back since.

This was just great, John Coltrane at his finest. His skills are unmatched, the back and forth with the other musicians on bass, drums and piano is just so fun to listen to. You can just tell everyone recording on this album is having a blast just making wonderful music.

I was such a big fan of Giant Steps as a high schooler playing in jazz band. I thought Coltrane was a god and it was the coolest thing ever. I now see that I was 1/2 correct.

genius.

Testing, Testing. Does this mic work??

test notes?

I've always been a big fan of compositions where everyone seems to be playing something different, yet they somehow work together masterfully. That sort of craft and performance will forever be impressive. This made a certified sax hater into an occasional enjoyer.

Legend

one of the top influential jazz artists, true talent

Joder

This is a masterpiece, not a lot to say. Quintessential jazz album.

Brilliant. Saxophone as poetry. Lyrical, moving, I could go on. Shut up and listen.

This is one of a handful of jazz albums I own. Killer. What to say other than it's regarded as one of the best ever for good reason.

Four monsters at the top of their game. This has always been a fave of mine and it still holds up after countless listens. John's tone and harmonic explorations, McCoy's bombastic chords, and Elvin's and Jimmy's smooth polyrhythmic grooves are all such iconic examples of beauty and fire. Truly one of the greats. I only wish Eric Dolphy had lived long enough to play on this puppy. I can imagine his incredible bass clarinet bringing this album to even greater heights.

Phenomenal jazz album. Top 5 for me.

All timer, easy

I mean what else can you say? Supreme indeed.

Love this album. Powerful and moving

A splendid, highly satisfying jazz odyssey, not to mention a masterclass in how to create a perfect album. Honestly, it puts most of the albums on this list to shame. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Psalm, Resolution, Acknowledgement, Pursuance

Spiritual, beautiful, breathtaking. ‘A Love Supreme’ is just one of those incredibly wonderful, perfect records, jazz or otherwise. Everyone should hear it.

A 5 star classic. 5/5

A rich and tumultuous suite featuring some gripping work from a master of the form. Not my favorite of Coltrane’s albums, though I understand why it gets the lion’s share of the accolades due to its high concept and how it serves as a bridge into his more inaccessible free jazz stuff. Still a tremendous and necessary album.

It’s as close as you can get to religious music without being religious. But there’s little doubt that this monumental and influential song cycle is as deep a spiritual statement as any modern musician has produced. Coltrane, already a giant in the game, takes another giant leap forward, and he brings us all along for the journey, because as much as “A Love Supreme” is a powerful record, it’s also an inviting one. It’s about a quartet giving everything it has to bring meaning and purpose to the music. Released in the middle of the searching Sixties, this set of songs is already leaps and bounds beyond what much of the Summer of Love crowd will produce in Rock music later on. You can feel the yearning and the seeking in every song, but especially in the now iconic title track. It’s a true masterwork. If only Coltrane had escaped the ‘60s alive—can you imagine how much he would’ve stretched the music in the ‘70s and after?

Every bit of this- just lovely

Landmark album should be on any jazz fans collection.

Listened to this to and from New Orleans, smooth af

Somebody once said that jazz sounds like if someone took a bunch of instruments and threw them down a stairwell. That description does not fit this masterpiece.

the highest way of being you can reach, making this album, or listening to it. incredible

Probably top 3 jazz albums for me. Ez dump.

a love supreme, a love supreme, a love supreme...

I have heard this album many times. Wonderful. Fully deserves to be on this list. The quality of playing, and the great recording of this album is top notch.

Yes please

Wow, a beautiful suite of music that increasingly intensifies as it moves forward. Sounds live, crisp and thrilling. All musicians are given space to paint intricate parts. Floored by this album.

I have to give this 5 stars just because it was so influential and such a rich union of art and spirituality. But, yeah, not background music, that's for sure. I think you can only listen to this record through really good headphones in a dark room, maybe smoking a cigarette.

Classic jazz album

Wow

Some will say 5 stars is too high for this album, they can all blow my sax because this is one of the foundational records of modern American music

Finally! An album that you should definitely actually listen to before you die. Listen to it, but don't die yet, the world needs you. bleeblahblooobedydoobeebedoobybe HONK scoobedydoo dee dum diddly JAZZ....nice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsQYzpOHpik I'm not really a fan of Jazz, but after listening to this, I am fully ready to accept that it may be music's sublimest expressive form.

Coltrane's masterpiece. A little challenging as it is not pop-jazz, but so interesting. My favorite jazz album, just narrowly ahead of Kind of Blue. John Coltrane was a genius.

Hell yeah

Five full stars. The opening run alone is worth the price of admission. I don't know anything about jazz but this sounds good and if it sounds good it is good.

Ah, I already own this album. Sublime. I ration listening to this, because it's such a powerful testimony to human creativity. I don't want to grow bored of it.

One of Coltrane's most improvised albums, fully composed with an incredible stable yet dynamic back beat. Coltrane was able to take risks and go into some avant movements here.

A masterpiece. The drums and bass are exceptional and Coltrane is just flawless. Finally some high level jazz on this list. 5/5 Will listen again

Perfect Music

Uma verdadeira declaração de ternura em forma de sopros e melodias.

Wow . Almost passed this up. Really glad I didn’t . 8.3/10

5/5. Hard to put into words, just an enjoyable yet smooth jazz album. Every instrument has its place and it feels so raw yet meticulous. I looked up and saw there were 90,000+ takes for these songs. The dedication alone shows, it's mastery of music on another level. I need to listen to this a bunch more to hear everything, it's so good.

Insane this was recorded in 1 day. Absolute master piece and the entire blue print for modern improvisation

One of my all time favorites. Listen on vinyl!

I love this jazz

BL: Coltrane is an artist im incredibly aware of being one of the most notable in his class. Never listened to this one despite it being one of the key listens within the jazz compendium. AL: Awesome jazz record. Lots of interpretation, soloing and getting lost in the music. One of the masterworks within its class, though I don't enjoy this as much as something like Davis, who I think captures the soul of the music in a very different way but in a way that is more compelling to me, Loved this either way though FT: "I: Acknowledgement", "III: Pursuance" 5/5

Another great jazz album!

Perfect. 5

Listened to this album about 6 times in 2 days.

This was such a great listen, especially since yesterday I had to listen to Spy vs. Spy. Now this is the kind of Jazz I can get behind and enjoy.

Love

I absolutely loved this album! I was having a stressful day yesterday but this music really helped. It wasn't telling me how to feel, instead I could imagine my own emotions expressed through the constantly changing jazz.

I'm just glad I can both appreciate and enjoy jazz. Still baffling there's no actual Ornette Coleman in the book.

One of the greatest Jazz albums of all time

Nice

Absolute perfection. Transcendent, much like yesterday’s album, it’s incredible musicians collaborating to make something bigger than all of them. It’s also a fascinating bridge between the more melodic playing of Coltrane’s previous albums and the freer more chaotic sounds he’d explore afterward. Can’t say enough about how much I love this. I guess Supremely?

5.0

Optimal

I don’t even have to wait to listen. This one is regularly one repeat. I admit that it asks a bunch from listeners. It’s angular instead of lush. It’s not always lyrical. It’s tough to stay with it but it just works for me. And the cover image is on a t shirt I own. And it’s the soundtrack in my mind to a zillion things.. and.. and..and.. five effing stars.

Loved this!

Jazz. 5/5

Maybe the best jazz album ever 10 stars

I just love jazz!!

You can feel the love in this album.

Really great all the way through. Intense, interesting, perfectly long. Improvisation that's clearly skilled. I'd definitely listen to it again, and that's rare for me with this genre.

I've been avoiding listening to A Love Supreme since I first heard of it in undergrad, just because it seemed like one of those incredibly famous and beloved jazz albums that I would have to immediately "get" or face eternal ridicule from jazz-heads. I listened to it on the subway this afternoon while half-asleep and felt real emotion from it. I've now listened to it 4 times through this evening, read about it, read the poem while listening to Part IV, and MAN! Music is so beautiful and important. Does it ever hit you how good the world can be. I'm not particularly religious but, to quote Coltrane- "God breathes through us so completely ... so gently we hardly feel it ... yet, it is our everything. Thank you God. ELATION-ELEGANCE-EXALTATION All from God. Thank you God. Amen."

This was already one of my desert island discs. I've listened to this album many times. The poly-rhythmic interaction between Coltrane and the other players in his band means that I can listen to this album many, many times and never get bored. I wish that I could give this a 6.

Beautiful album, can’t believe I hadn’t heard it before

Really enjoyed listening to this album? Think I'll buy it on vinyl

Yes experimental and without the boundaries of conventional music, but it differs from other experimental and artsy projects on this list by 1 fundamental matter: it is not nearly long enough to be annoying. Great album.

Yes the love is very supreme now please get out of my house

I’m sure there’s a lot more to this album that makes it great that I just don’t understand. I don’t know a lot of music theory, if I did I would maybe appreciate this album even more. I do hope one day to know more and be able to really dig into this album and other jazz greats. For now though, all I know is I love how it sounds and that’s enough for now.

Me gustó

Transcendent mastery of a genre.

Classic Coltrane, Psalm is such a killer tune.

A true classic that never gets old. So much raw expression and talent.

I love Coltrane, well most anyway. This one is a bit more of a challenge in that it has a lot more edge to it. The first half is frenetic, a bit chaotic even. You really have to be in the right frame of mind. This is not the laid-back and cool Coltrane, this is the more urgent one - bursting through the door with a manic energy. We settle down a bit in the last quarter, feeling like some demons have been quelled maybe. Still, it’s Coltrane and there’s only one.

This project felt like one continuous song yet it felt like different phases of the same journey. I’ve always been a fan of jazz due to my trumpet background and i’ve listened to other Coltrane records in the past. It isn’t a surprise I enjoyed this. Definitely would return to this record if I am ever in the mood for a musical odyssey.

I wrote a whole ass Inforoo post about this about various existential crises I have but in spite of all of that this is still a classic.

Let's fucking gooo

Groovy

Fire!!!

I don’t listen to jazz very often but this is clearly a masterpiece

SCC.

Fantastic, especially track 4.

Very nice short album, very good jazz

the jazz album to kill all jazz albums. Obviously not the craziest jazz album for the time, but definitely the best bridge of earlier hard bop/post bop and later avant garde jazz. an album for both casual listeners and nerds. not to mention its also just really good. amazing reoccurring theme. probably my favorite jazz album of all time.

A perfect album, one of my favourites.

Could listen to this all day!

Have loved this album for decades.

I'm not saying this is my favorite ever album, but I will say that is very difficult to imagine music being played better than this. My word, what a journey that was.

Amazing Wonderful musical conversation

Coffee shop vibes

Yes mon!! Absolutely love Train, banging album that flows brilliantly. Just love every track and it feels like a journey. Ending on Psalm just chills me out after vibing throughout the album. Might start running to this

Great jazz! Loved it!

The best meditation. Morning, noon, or night.

One of my favorite jazz records.

Masterpiece. Checkout the live in Seattle version as well.

Total jazz! 4.8

John Coltrane. Just incredible

This album fucks

an all-time great jazz epic composed by one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of his time. By far one of my favorite jazz albums of all time.

I've had the album for years but had not listened to it all the way through. Took this challenge to have me listen to it all the way through, and I'm glad I did. Having listened to Mingus' Black Saint and the Sinner Lady earlier in the week probably set the stage. Such a great work, with the beauty of being able to focus in on what each member contributed - McCoy Tyner's piano, Jimmy Garrison's bass, Elvin Jones' drumming, and of course Coltrane's sax playing at his pinnacle. Each element I was able to find an anchor in their motifs and was wonderful to hear it as a complete suite.

Yes, this is fantastic. I visit Coltrane during the winter months, so this hut just right. My little dog loves him too.

its okay not to like this genre, its difficult to grasp just how insane these tracks get. it certainly helps when you even just play one of these instruments, at any level. drum solos in Persuance are sex

Just a fantastic album and a killer listen. I definitely want this album for my personal collection.

Perfection in improvisation?

Beautiful sax all around

I love jazz and John Coltrane is an absolutely legend. There’s no way that this album deserves anything less than a five. The amount of influence Coltrane had on artists today speaks to the longevity and creativity of his earlier albums. Such a shame that he was taken too early

It's quite saxy

I think John Coltrane is the best saxophonist to ever touch the instrument. His music and style are quickly recognizable and amazingly good. I have this album on vinyl and have listened to it many, many times. Excellent, entertaining, high quality, and I always find myself going back to it. Five stars.

I have a copy of this album so nothing new to me here. I haven't listened to it for years though, and I can report back that it is still as cool and amazing as it was the first time I listened to it. I would think that even if jazz is not your 'thing' you would still enjoy this album.

Smoothest Jazz I've ever heard.

GORGEOUS. Incredibly thoughtful and flowing. Didn't take track notes because the album flowed so well that I didn't think of it in distinct movements exactly, but top to bottom it was what I love about jazz.

Okay yeah John Coltrane cooks we all can agree but MCCOY TYNER! My man plays chords I didn't even know existed on this record he is the nutrient-rich soil upon which Coltrane can sprout. Great album, very emotional and interesting.

Stunning. Love it.

I mean, what else is there to day. A genius, the og.

My all- time favorite sax man. Can’t go wrong listening to the MAN.10/5 in my humble opinion

Staggering, mind-blowing, muscular, potent, transcendental, spellbinding, numinous, sublime, dazzling...how may superlatives can one lavish on a work of art? And none appropriate than...supreme.

This is one of those ones I’d been meaning to listen to all the way through for a long time. Coltrane was a genius, nothing new there. We knew that. A Love Supreme, while unlikely to become a favorite of mine, is certainly a work of art that transported me. It’s an experience. One that deserves to be listened to intently. Which I still need to do, but in this listen while working from home, I can say it’s a solid 9/10

Jazz always gets me Would be great vibes for chilling by an open fire Xmas-time Not necessarily when walking briskly to the station

I love this jazz!

Fuck me. 5.

One of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Adds class to any room or activity.

*****

It’s going to take a few listens to catch all the details that make this such an epic album, but Coltrane’s virtuosity and willingness to experiment is obvious and apparent throughout. I can’t wait to dive into this one again!

Perfect jazz album

Shit there was some transcendent passages on this. Very glad I gave this a second listen, it became much less overwhelming and far more beautiful. Fav Track: Pursuance 4.5/5

Finally got around to listening to this - I knew it would demand proper attention and had never found myself in the mood to tackle an album with such a large legacy. Was just thrilled by the listen - incredible performances that are compelling and deep. A classic that has earned its status. Four and a half. Fave track: Pt. IV - Psalm

I heard that after John Coltrane became a Christian he felt like the purest expression of his devotion to God was to play his sax, like an act of worship. Whatever it is you believe, thank God for John Coltrane. On a more musical level, I heard that other jazz musicians of the era were blown away by Coltrane’s creativity. They listened to his solos and were astonished at the creativity it took to come up with that. Maybe Coltrane would have thought that was a spiritual thing too.

This is one of my all time favorites

I’m not qualified to say anything smart about A Love Supreme! So let’s get that out of the way and get on with the business of my reactions. This is the first time I’ve put this album on, and it strikes me as a really dense, impressive showcase of Coltrane, who is no more a freak of nature than on this record. His lines sound so foreign, angular, jagged, dexterous. A wailing, lone voice in a tonal land of his own. This kind of jazz beguiles me, because it’s both easy listening— easy to tune out and just put on for a mood— and also extremely dense, full of complexity and depth and dramatic, bold choices when you listen carefully. Somehow works on both levels. I don’t really get the spiritual component, but I hear in his playing meditative voice, a lonely one, sometimes very tender, sorrowful lines. Unlike the 60’s, “sax” just sounds like Coltrane now, 50% of the time. But there is only one so masterful. 5/5

Great!

Incredible Jazz figure, one of the greats. Literally nothing to add besides if you want to hear incredible improvisation, this is the record.

Already listened to it. Starts with a bang and takes you on one hell of a journey.

A major contribution to world culture. The obvious rejoinder is, for a collection like this, what about Giant Steps and My Favorite Things (or Blue Trane or Soultrane or Ballads), which are also extraordinary and delightful and more accessible (or maybe simply less forbidding) than this. Advanced, otherworldly playing, this is music to be challenged by rather than simply enjoyed, though there’s much pleasure in the deep listening. It’s super-’60s deep, obviously, and a landmark on multiple levels – the type of record about which are written (and have been). Again, what seems like indulgence yields richness. Nearly perfect in what it sets out to do. Why there aren't four or six additional Coltrane – John or Alice – records is, on the part of the editors, a failure of either imagination or taste.

So upbeat and smooth. Like I'm trying on a sharp new suit

Excellent mix - love the saxophone (sax player from way back)

classic.

Amazing. Creative.

This album sparked my interest in jazz. I’d heard his name before, but I came across this album on vinyl on Amazon for dirt cheap. I had to pick it up. I spin it regularly. And often have the phrase stuck in my head. “A love supreme. A love supreme.”

Love this. Already listened to it through 4/5 times and along with Miles Davis, Coltrane best demonstrates what great jazz is for me. This has all the unexpected turns and avant garde ‘ramblings’ you expect from jazz, while still sounding incredibly well put together. It just makes me feel happy without having to think too much, which is a big tick in the box for me.

It's tempting to label all jazz as more of the same, then an album like this comes along that is so much better. The previous jazz album was pleasant, background music, whereas this wasn't in the background at all! The third track in particular was so complex and in your face. The short runtime meant I was interested throughout. Wouldn't say I'm a bonafide 'Jazz fan' but I'd definitely listen to this again. Talked myself into a 5 here, it's mint.

A clean, bright blast of energetic purity.

Now suffering from an acute case of CIP (Coltrane Induced Psychosis) as recognised in the DSM-V.

This album is like a fine scotch, I only listen to it on special occasions

One of my all-time faves. A jazz great! This album feels like genius.

Classic

Beginning and ending were good

Perfect album to my ears. One of the best jazz albums for a casual listener to be exposed to

Greatest piece of art ever. Beautiful is the best word for it and even that I find lacking. Like trying to describe the majesty of the stars

One my top 20 albums of all time! A must for any lover of jazz and in particular this moment in jazz history. Highly recommend.

Av det aller beste

Landmark jazz album that kicks. A symphony of brilliance.

True jazz classic. I like it that albums get better and better once you listen to them more often. I had not listened to this album for many years, so needed to go through the same progress all over again.

Great jazz album, a true classic. Earlier albums like Giant Steps are perhaps a bit more accessible, but this is an amazing listening experience if you give it the attention it deserves. I was also reminded how excellent the recording is.

Stunning, great album.

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Album 143 of 1001 John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Track : Resolution I love me some Coltrane. The only disappointing thing, for me, is that the album offered up was not Blue Train - one of my favorites. Still, this gives you the essence of Coltrane. I've always loved the horns and this offers some of the best. Can not go wrong with any Coltrane. Highly recommend.

already heard it - great album

I spent the whole day trying to get into this. Finally at the end of the day, with a glass of wine and all my attention, I’m starting to get it!

Reputation is monolithic, which makes the original-length record all the more impressive. Coltrane-virtuosic, a little out there, more than approachable (drums that tempt dance then force you to sit and listen), as clearly structured as impossible to pin down. Pooh-poohing is imaginable if crass; If you find this boring please just swear of jazz for the sake of all ears.

Well I can't say anything new about this album. It fuckin' slaps.

All aboard the Coltrane!

This was probably my favorite jazz album before I started going through the list. Still absolutely spectacular, listening to this on headphones is an experience.

Actual music

Damn bro this is like that effin movie la la land dude Yeah forreal though I’ve never been a jazz guy so admittedly a lot of this goes over my head. I did enjoy it but Im honestly just too big of a jazz dummy to have anything meaningful to say about it. It kinda just IS a five, objectively speaking. Yknow?

I actually listened through this twice just to make sure the emotion I felt on my 2am-drive-home-listen wasn’t just a fluke. I was particularly grasped by the realization that after reaching an early climax of chaos and atonal assault in Pt. II Resolution (which of course is only the appearance of chaos, each note is actually perfectly placed and deliberate) the performance begins to de-escalate and fall into more traditional and comforting arrangements. This really drives home the central theme of the record, the journey to finding meaning in life through a higher power. Each step of the way the sax leads act in a very human, lyrical manner. Coltrane shares feelings of confusion and sadness which soon give way to curiosity and understanding until, ultimately in Pt IV Psalm, transforming to gratitude and reverence. I was delighted to do some reading and find his intention was to create a “wordless poem” on Psalm where his spiritual work was played in the rhythm of speaking through his instrument instead of reading the words. Overall a fascinating record, brilliantly performed, and deeply meaningful. These curveballs so far outside my normal listening mixes are making this project a lot of fun and very rewarding.

Mind-blowing.

Joyous. You need to be in the right frame of mind I think though, otherwise it could come across as a bit protracted and laboured maybe? What an instrumental album though (pun intended) and has so clearly influenced other artists across the board.

What can I say, just an absolute masterpiece.

It is obvious from listening to this that it is a spiritual experience for Coltrane. I love that all four members of the quartet get their chance to show off their musicianship on this album.

Waren er maar meer sterren! Best of the best van de jazz.

6 stars if they would let me

Every time Coltrane's sax pops into a song it feels like the heavens are opening. So glad that I can appreciate jazz a lot more than I could years ago, makes you realise just how unique this album is in the genre, there's really nothing else like it. It's amazing how much it manages to do in barely half an hour, and with just those 3 words repeated. Somehow feels deeply spiritual just through the sound alone. It's a masterpiece.

One of the best albums I’ve ever heard. The album that makes you fall in love with drums

Can’t say no to little Coltrane.

yeah this is just perfect. can’t ask for more

There are jazz albums I listen to more often and prefer to this one, but every time I return its greatness is immediately evident.

The standard. I don’t know jazz. But I know that when I listen to A Love Supreme, I think, “oh, I want to hear that again.” And then I understand what I like about jazz, and why it’s the standard.

Dos escuchadas para entenderlo y sentir lo uqe realmente es una historia 10/10 no erra en absolutamente nada, es impresinante que transmita tanto. Las dudas, el extasis, la trsiteza, la agonía, la nostalgia, la rabia pero no tan rabia, etc.

Classic album from a jazz giant near the peak of his career. First time I ever heard A Love Supreme was actually covered by Umphrey's during a jam. I love this era of jazz: John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin... Reading the wiki page, it says this was recorded in a single session. Probably not atypical for the genre, but damn that is cool. Pt I opens the album with some saxophone foreplay that gives way to the first introduction of the Love Supreme melody as introduced by the bass. This bleeds into a jazzy saxophone exploration over some dusty drums and piano. The atmosphere feels so lived in and lively. Obviously the sax work takes the central focus, but all of the backing is doing admirable service to the progression. The 5 minute mark brings us back to the Love Supreme melody. After some chanting of the album title to close out Pt I, Pt II comes in hot with some silky sax work over bounding drums. Side-note, jazz drummers are fucking amazing. They play ridiculous rhythms and counterpoint the rest of the band so well. Sax gives way to a splashy piano solo that fits like a glove. I was working for a bit through the intro of Pt III but by minute 4 it is straight fire. Pure energy coming through the sax; hard to understand how the drummer is keeping up. Drummer finally gets a solo around the 7 minute mark where he gets a chance to decompress a bit and make way for some calmer air that follows. Pt IV rumbles into form sort of like waves crashing on a beach. The sax floats above the rest telling an exalted and yet distressed tale through its closure. The album rounds out with rolling drums and cymbal that evoke a cascading storm. Beautiful album that is one of the great tenets of jazz music. 5 / 5.

Hot take: John Coltrane is better than Miles Davis. Maybe it's not so hot a take, or maybe I'm more of a Coltrane guy than a Miles man. Acknowledgment, Resolution, Pursuance, Psalm. That's all any of us need.

Een paar jaar geleden besloot ik om eens in jazz te duiken, en dit was een van de eerste albums die ik toen luisterde. Ondanks dat het niet gelijk in de smaak viel, bleef het me aantrekken. Het is denk ik de combinatie van zijn blik op de cover en het feit dat het een concept-achtig vierdelig album is wat mij toch aantrok en het opnieuw bleef luisteren. Het duurde bij mij een paar keer voor het klikte, maar om dit album in alle rust in één zit te luisteren is echt een mooie ervaring. Ik ben verre van een jazz-expert, maar een Coltrane nummer hoor je van mijlenver.

I feel so hip!

This project has opened the door to jazz for me. I loved this the first time through and enjoyed repeated listens. Wonderful!

Discazo aunque se le noten los años

what it says on the tin: supreme. like a summer storm of brilliance! best tracks: all

All time great jazz album

Easily one of my favorite Jazz albums of all time. John Coltrane is at the heights of his powers in my opinion on this album and in this era. I am a huge Coltrane fan and love a majority of his albums but if I were forced to say my favorite of his works I think I would pick A Love Supreme which may be a basic pick but this is one of those cases where public opinion is right. I know some people prefer Blue Train, Giant Steps, or even Ascension but this album is perfect for me. It is one of the few Jazz albums I always have in my rotation as someone who doesn't listen to Jazz on a consistent basis. Every part is great but I think my favorites are between 2 and 4. One of the easiest 10/10s and one of the few albums I think is perfect.

not familiar enough with jazz as a genre to like, dissect the album and highlight specific things that are good about it, but i found the whole thing atmospheric and lively, just generally enjoyed it

Mi único tema es el paneo carajo Lo demás espectacular, en especial John y el Baterista.

Added to my Spotify

9,75/10

Classic, essential jazz.

I don't need any notes for this. And you, dear reader, don't need my notes for this. An Album Supreme.

One of the greatest jazz records. The opening as absolutely epic.

An absolute jazz classic and one of Coltrane's best. A perfect example of mid 60s modal/hard/post bop. Coltrane is great, but the rest of the quartet are top musicians too. Elvin Jones is a motherfucker on drums, McCoy Tyner kills it on keys, and Jimmy Garrison keeps it on the groove. Part 3 is the highlight where they're fully cooking, but the whole album is sequenced perfectly. You can see why Santana and so many other major musicians are huge fans of this.

Interesting this was recorded in one session. Impressive to say the least. Don’t really understand exactly how this is described as “spiritual” but maybe by some who knows more about jazz than I do. The thing I love about jazz the most is that it seems to take you to another place, and this album certainly did that for me.

Beautiful. Smooth. Wandering, but never aimless. Every musician seems to be playing in their own little world, and yet those worlds somehow manage to live together in chaotic harmony. You can listen to the band as a whole and it'll be an overall soothing experience. Or you can just as easily tune into what each musician is doing, and just follow them on their own little journey, distinct from the others, and yet still informed by them.

I have listened to this recording dozens of times. It always has an impact on me, musically and spiritually. Even if I think of this record, I cannot get the melody at the start of the Resolution section out of my head for days.

Awesome album, one of the jazz greats. I probably prefer Blue Train and Giant Steps to this, but it’s still classic Coltrane.

Played it over the weekend + don't really have much to say other than it was highly enjoyable jazz. No complaints from me so max points from yours truly.

A lovely slice of jazz.

Such an incredible energized recording. It’s a whole world of its own.

Such a masterpiece. Hard to know what to say about this one. All the quartal harmony on this makes it feel enormous. This would be so much better in mono or on speakers, the stereo hard-panning in headphones is really annoying.

Álbum de jazz, com o pouco conhecimento que tenho do gênero acredito que John Coltrane seja um artista fora da curva

John Coltranen puolituntinen "A Love Supreme" albumi on yksi kunnioitetuimmista jazz-albumeista koskaan. Albumissa esiintyy saksofonisti Coltrane itse, pianisti McCoy Tyner, basisti Jimmy Garrison sekä rumpali Elvin Jones. Kvartetin jäsenet saavat jokainen oman mahdollisuutensa loistaa, vaikka albumin suola on toki instrumenttien dynamiikka keskenään. Albumi alkaa improvisoidulla sektiolla, aikakautenaan kovin avantgarde, spirituaalinen ilmaisu. Omasta mielestä ensimmäinen osa jää ehkä hieman latteaksi, vaikka soittajien musikaalinen kyky on välittömästi ilmeistä. Toinen sävellys alkaa olla sitä lihaa luun ympärillä niin sanotusti. Saksofööni alkaa tahdittaa sellasta valssia että oksat pois...heh...puupää konsanaan... kolmas biisi alkaa kunnon rumpali ritaroinnilla... lopussa basso lurauttelee kuin turkmen brother... from the steppes we come, turkiye tge strongest nation.... ILMEISESTI JOSSAIN VERSIOISSA JÄTETTY POIS... ei lopu kaikki seitsemän minuutin kohtaan ei...heh... vapaamuotoinen genre vaijaha, pitää seitsemän veljeksen mukaan mennä heh... lopussa resoluutio..vaikka on tokan bioisin nimi heh.. se tulee vasta lopussa heh... draaman kaaari..opeteleppa siitä...saxofone anf piano talking together,..duality of instrumentation....and deep beneath the rolling waves in labtrinths of coral cavesesque...referenssi...

Yes, please, thank you

I've written how on here how much I love swing era jazz but when jazz evolved into other forms, I don't enjoy them as much. This album fucking rocks. The musicality. The skill. Everything about this album is perfect.

What is there to say that has not been said. Recorded in one session, this moved me in a way few records have. I have revisited it numerous times over the years and my admiration and love for this has only grown over the years. Truly spiritual and obviously a classic.

Magnificent. One large flowing and vibrant piece of music over 4 Parts. Really excellent stuff. Feels superhuman and like it may have influence psychedelic rock given its year of release?

Amazing. Not so much for the album part, which is incidental, but amazing music performed amazingly by an amazing artist. 5/5

A monumental album, the finest in the world of jazz. I'm more into rock and other styles of music but this is unbelieveable. It draws you in like nothing else.

This is one of those special albums that defines jazz. Like, you could play it for an alien, tell them "this is jazz" and they would get it, and they would be hooked. It's challenging, but it's also warm and infectious.

Spellbinding. A real sweet spot in his discography where he tempered soul searching experimentation with hypnotic grooves, all before he went completely out the window with free jazz.

An all timer. A consensus top10 jazz record by most, for good reason. Not merely just an accessible jazz record, but one that those with more wild preferences in jazz can also appreciate. Transcendent, generational, divine, all that.

A stone cold classic, maybe even the greatest jazz album ever recorded. I struggle to put into words how to describe it - just listen to it. Then listen to it again and again.

This is a very good jazz album. But it lacked something. I cannot tell what it is, but it did just not feel outstanding. 9/10

Love it. Not a dull moment.

This is such a joy to listen to. I wish to be this man someday! What's to say? Just 30 minutes of great jazz. Will definitely listen to it again, amazing to study to. Pt 2 is my favourite by far - the sax just goes wild! High 4, low 5 depending on mood.

I really liked it. Is a 5 be too high? I don't know. But I know that I like this album.

Recommended to everyone: absolutely sensational. Simply one of the best pieces of music ever recorded.

Top stuff.

An absolute genius! I loved this.

Rips all the way through, real smooth

5. Perfect work music.

Psalm

Exquisite. It’s like a prayer or a whisper or a thought. Full of life and fascination, pulling you in. Extraordinary artistry. Unmatched.

Sublime

Don't make this brilliant album your introduction into Jazz, save that for Kind of Blue or Time Out. Don't even make it your introduction to Coltrane; Giant Steps or My Favourite Things would be better places to start. Once you think you're ready it will still probably take a 5 or 6 listens before the magic of this gorgeous, spiritual album hits the mark. It took at least that many listens did for me, but how....5 stars

What is there to say? An all time classic, a game-changer for the genre of jazz, and a huge leap into the unknown by Trane. 5/5

Finally, an album I hadn't listened to and sounds like a must hear! Part I was sublime. Great jazz album.

More recently, I've been exploring and purchasing classic jazz albums. My first vinyl buy was a re-issue of A Love Supreme from John Coltrane without hearing any of it first. Of course, it blew me away and confirmed my new passion for jazz, which is beginning to snowball into an obsession. Great record, amazing lineup of super talent musicians and a recording that is seemingly timeless. A must-hear!

Perfect album, each song on this album takes you through a journey of some of the best jazz ever made. 10/10

One of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard.

Wat een manier om te starten

nice jazz

Everyone talks about Giant Steps as the definitive Coltrane. For me, it's this one. Head and shoulders. Powerful playing, and next level improvisation. I remember the story of Miles telling John his solos were too long. Coltrane said, "I just can't stop playing! I don't know how to stop." "It's easy," replied Miles. "Just take the damned horn out of your mouth." Coltrane kept it in his mouth for this record and I'm glad he did.

Nice jazz album. Did make my day!

Legendary. Best served with fine herbs.

Damn, this is good jazz. I liked all the tracks on this surprisingly short album. Just four parts of one musical idea. Uhm, 5/5 with the caveat being that I'm not experienced in Jazz.

Beautiful record. Love Coltrane.

One of the best jazz albums of all time

My only complaint is that is stops after only half an hour

A Love Supreme (1965) is recorded in one session on December 9, 1964. Often mentioned in manu lists of top jazz albums. A Love Supreme is a through-composed suite in four parts: "Acknowledgement" (which includes the oral chant that gives the album its name), "Resolution", "Pursuance", and "Psalm". Coltrane plays tenor saxophone on all parts. One critic has written that the album was intended to represent a struggle for purity, an expression of gratitude, and an acknowledgement that the musician's talent comes from a higher power. Great album!

Supremely lovable (and best heard on headphones in mono).

Listens: 2 Enjoyed: yes Nice and chilled. Not a lot more to say. Arguably a perfect album

Fucking fantastic, a great listen all the way through

Cant describe in Words. Epic album. Legend

Banger

A stunning achievement

"A Love Supreme" is an album by jazz saxophonist John Coltrane recorded at Van Gelden Studio in New Jersey. It was also recorded in one session by the quartet of Coltrane (tenor sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Jimmy Garrison (bassist) and Elvin Jones (drummer). The album is a through-composed suite which is a continuous, non-repetitive ordered set of musical pieces/parts. In this this case, four parts. This is obviously spectacular and considered Coltranes' masterpiece. The jazz is classified as modal jazz, avant-garde jazz, free jazz, hard bop and post-bop. It was also included in the National Recording Registry for its "cultural, historic or artistic" significance. Part 1: "Acknowledgement" begins with a gong and cymbals sounding almost like the ocean. There's a bass motif which turns into a "Love Supreme" chant. Both sax and piano solos. Part 2: "Resolution" enters with a sax solo which goes to a piano solo. Excellent and explosive drumming. Exceptionally explosive sax too. Speaking of explosive drumming, Part 3: "Persuance" begins with 1:40 extended drum solo. It then just bounces back and forth between sax and piano solos before going to another drum solo. And finally we get the bass solo. I'm a happy man now. In Part 4: ""Psalm," the band comes together with a smooth and sultry tone led by Coltrane's sax. The pace picks up slightly and becomes more dramatic ending with the drums. I am by no means a jazz expert but this is one of the best jazz albums I've heard. I like the way each song started differently. The band was both tight and loose giving each musician space in their solos and then finally coming together in the final part.

One of my favorite albums of all time.

who are we to judge john coltrane

I was moved just reading all those 5-star reviews about this masterpiece, transcendent in so many ways. It transcends the genre it's in, it transcends the ears, and it transcends the soul. I don't think I can do any better than this other reviewer who jested about God having this album on rotation on his personal I-pod. God, or whatever higher power there might be out there... So I'll just stop there and let the music speak for itself. Number of albums left to review: 782 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 113 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 54 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 51