A Love Supreme, quite simply, is the sound of beauty. Rarely, if ever, has an artist been able to communicate the warmth and gratitude in his spiritual essence as directly and palpably as Coltrane does here, in a manner that is neither maudlin nor mystical. The impact is the opposite of spellbinding: It fosters self-reflection — a generous, non-judgmental soul check.

Both of Coltrane's parents were musicians. Both of his grandfathers were Methodist ministers. As he writes in the liner notes, he received a spiritual awakening in 1957 (at the age of 31), only to lapse into drug abuse and other bad habits. But by December 1964, he was prepared to celebrate his recommitment with this four-song, 33-minute suite, entering that rarefied zone where simplicity begets profundity.

The grandiosity of the opening gong that introduces "Acknowledgement," and Coltrane's first-ever chant on record later in the track (repeating the phrase, "a love supreme") indicates he knew this was a breakthrough. But his first tenor sax of the disc, coming after Jimmy Garrison's bass vamp sets the theme, is anchored in the blues, with his trademark clarity of tone a mixture of assertive faith and willing supplication, a mutual sense of honor and duty.… read more »