Translinear Light

Translinear Light is the final studio album by American jazz pianist Alice Coltrane, released in September, 2004¹ on Impulse Records. It was produced by her son Ravi Coltrane, who also played saxophone for the album as did her third son Oran. In addition to original compositions, it includes two by her husband John Coltrane and four interpretations of traditional songs.

Translinear Light is the final studio album by American jazz pianist Alice Coltrane, released in September, 2004 on Impulse Records. It was produced by her son Ravi Coltrane, who also played saxophone for the album as did her third son Oran. In addition to original compositions, it includes two by her husband John Coltrane and four interpretations of traditional songs.

Background

Translinear Light was Coltrane's first commercial album following a 26-year hiatus, during which she was "home most often, focused on contemplation and inner growth." She recorded Translinear Light at the encouragement of her sons Ravi and Oran. Ravi Coltrane stated: "I always felt like there was a gap that was widening — any idea of us being two professional working musicians at the same time was just evaporating. I was getting deeper and deeper into music and each year she would say she was more and more retired from music. I think about those times I had opportunities to play professionally with my mother, but I was new to it and not ready. I wanted some document that I'll always be able to share with my kids. I don't want to have a day of regret, saying, 'I never did this with my mom.'" Alice Coltrane recalled: "Well, I told my children I'm so happy to do this, but I’m not starting a second career!" "My son was... practically pleading, 'Mom, you must do this, you have to!' It sort of originated from him, 'Mom, please make a record, make a CD.' So I said okay and this is what we did." Recordings for the album took place at five different locations on dates ranging from April 28, 2000 to June 12, 2004. Coltrane scholar Ashley Kahn wrote: "The title is a play on the Coltrane name, and also a nod to Alice Coltrane's deep spirituality." With regard to the title, he quotes Coltrane: "Look at what trance means... It means to transcend... it means to become transcendental! So if we get a singular transcendental path of light, that could lead to such great dimensions of consciousness, of revelation, of spirituality, of spiritual power."

Track listing

Personnel

Alice Coltrane – piano or Wurlitzer organ; synthesizer on "The Hymn" Ravi Coltrane – tenor saxophone on "Jagadishwar," "Blue Nile," "Crescent," and "Leo"; soprano saxophone on "Translinear Light"; percussion on "Sita Ram" and "Translinear Light"; sleigh bells on "Leo" Oran Coltrane – alto saxophone on "The Hymn" Charlie Haden – bass on "Translinear Light," "This Train," "Crescent," and "Triloka" James Genus – bass on "Walk with Me," "Jagadishwar," and "Blue Nile" Jack De Johnette – drums on "Sita Ram," "Translinear Light," "This Train," and "Crescent," and "Leo" Jeff "Tain" Watts – drums on "Walk with Me," "Jagadishwar," and "Blue Nile" The Sai Anantam Ashram Singers – vocals on "Satya Sai Isha"

References

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367086123 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.