Universal Consciousness cover

Universal Consciousness

Released

Alice Coltrane’s writing for strings was unique; strongly influenced by Stravinsky, she created dramatic, sweeping effects and sudden, jarring accents. For much of this 1971 album, she plays Wurlitzer electric organ, with Jimmy Garrison on bass and several different drummers, and the strings flash through like lightning in the desert. The music reaches an ecstatic peak on the aptly titled “Battle At Armageddon,” a duo with Rashied Ali where her organ sears the air as he chops time up into gleaming shards.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
(Without Noticing) cover

(Without Noticing)

Fire!
Dark Day + Live in Verona cover

Dark Day + Live in Verona

Fred Anderson Quartet
Jimmy Giuffre 3, 1961 cover

Jimmy Giuffre 3, 1961

Jimmy Giuffre, Steve Swallow, Paul Bley
Wisdom of Elders cover

Wisdom of Elders

Shabaka & the Ancestors
Naked City cover

Naked City

John Zorn, Naked City
Molecular cover

Molecular

James Brandon Lewis Quartet
Shakill’s Warrior cover

Shakill’s Warrior

David Murray
New and Old Gospel cover

New and Old Gospel

Jackie McLean
Dirt…and More Dirt cover

Dirt…and More Dirt

Henry Threadgill
Hallowed cover

Hallowed

Michele Rosewoman
The Cry of My People cover

The Cry of My People

Archie Shepp
Black Classical Music cover

Black Classical Music

Yussef Dayes