Alice Coltrane - World Galaxy LP

you’re new to Alice Coltrane, this is an exciting first album to catapult you straight to her planet, whereas other albums might fly you there more slowly. Recorded in two days and featuring a string orchestra of 16, this sonic kaleidoscope features originals by Alice Coltrane, as well as upside down inside out reimaginings of the classic “My Favorite Things” and her late husband John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.”

At its quietest, stillest moments, World Galaxy feels like the classical soundtrack to an old black and white Hollywood film – if the film were to suddenly start morphing into red, blue, purple, and green. At its wildest, most bombastic moments, World Galaxy feels like a mind-bending roller coaster ride through a night sky blasted with fireballs and shooting stars. Explosive, pulsating, ever-changing clusters of dense, heavy sound are oxygenated and lifted by the ethereal beauty of Alice Coltrane’s own harp playing. Best enjoyed as a closed-eye full listening journey.

PERSONNEL:

Alice Coltrane - (piano, organ, harp, percussion)
Reggie Workman - (bass)
Ben Riley - (drums, percussion)
Frank Lowe - (tenor sax, percussion)
Elayne Jones- (timpani)

Strings:
Alan Shulman, Arthur Aaron, Avron Coleman, Edward Green, Harry Glickman, Henry Aaron, Irving Spice, Janet Hill, Joan Kalisch, Julien Barber, Ronald Lipscomb, Seymour Miroff, Thomas Nickerson, William Stone

Recorded November 15 and 16, 1971, at The Record Plant, New York City.

TRACKS:

A1. My Favorite Things
A2. Galaxy Around Olodumare
A3. Galaxy In Turiya

B1. Galaxy In Satchidananda
B2. A Love Supreme