John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

Acoustic Sounds Series reissues from Verve/Universal Music Enterprises!

Monthly releases highlighting the world's most historic and best jazz records!

Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound!

180-gram LPs pressed at Quality Record Pressings!

Stoughton Printing gatefold old-style tip-on jackets

Series supervised by Chad Kassem CEO of Acoustic Sounds

Click to see the Acoustic Sounds Series

"I picked up the new Acoustic Sounds (Series) reissue of A Love Supreme, John Coltrane's classic album originally released in 1965 on Impulse! Records. I've owned it on CD (Impulse! Records GRD-155) for years, but I bought a vinyl copy (Impulse! Records GR-155) a few years ago. ... Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound mastered A Love Supreme from original analog tapes for the new pressing, and he gives the recording more space and realism than I hear in the other versions I own. Instruments are lifelike and more clearly presented. Even Garrison's double bass, which could have been more forward in the original recording, has more impact and body. Jones's cymbals have more shimmer, each drum sounds out forcefully, and it's easier to hear the unique tones of each drum. McCoy Tyner's piano chords are harmonically richer and more dynamic. The new LP has a much deeper and wider soundstage and gives me a better sense that the music was performed in a three-dimensional space. ... On the CD and my other vinyl pressings, the music seems to stop at the speakers, while on this reissue it has more room to spread out and show itself. During Elvin Jones's solo drum feature on the opening of "Part III — Pursuance," the drums sound larger and echo more clearly into the left channel than on the CD and the other LPs I own. Cymbals splash with more excitement, and when Coltrane enters with the rest of the quartet, his sax has more fire and edge. ... For a reasonable price, you can pick up this great-sounding version of A Love Supreme by Acoustic Sounds and be assured that you are closer to hearing what occurred in the studio during the recording of this seminal jazz album." — Music = 5/5; Sound = 4/5; Overall Enjoyment = 4.5/5 — Recording of the Month December 2020, Joseph Taylor, soundstagenetwork.com. Read Taylor's entire review here.

"Anyone who tells you the original pressing bests this new one simply has not heard either! ... The original is just not very good at all. Quite the opposite for Ryan Smith's cut. Tyner's piano in particular is spectacularly well-served sitting clearly and convincingly in three-dimensions between the speakers. You could say Coltrane's sax is slightly thinner than you might want but that would be system-dependent and as far as I'm concerned the cut is another out of the park home run set against black backgrounds." Music = 11/11; Sound = 10/11 - Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. Read Fremer's entire review here.

The original master tape is available but it's not in the best shape. This LP was cut from a flat tape copy made by Rudy Van Gelder and used for cutting in the UK in April of 1965. Of course, the original recording was in December '64, so only a handful of months later. This tape was discovered at Abbey Road and had been untouched between 1965 and 2002. So while the original tape is available and while we would always opt for the original whenever we can, in this case this copy was the better choice as the tape has incurred less overall wear and sounds much better than the original.

Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' new audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets. The releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings.

John Coltrane's A Love Supreme is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Released in 1965, the album features Coltrane's quartet at the height of their creative powers, and is a testament to the saxophonist's spiritual and musical vision.

The album is divided into four parts, each representing a different aspect of Coltrane's personal journey towards spiritual enlightenment. The opening track, "Acknowledgement," is a meditative piece that features Coltrane's iconic "A Love Supreme" chant. This is followed by "Resolution," a high-energy piece that showcases Coltrane's virtuosic saxophone playing.

The third track, "Pursuance," is a dynamic, fast-paced tune with intricate solos by each member of the quartet. The album concludes with "Psalm," a reflective, hymn-like piece that features Coltrane's saxophone playing in a more subdued, spiritual mode.

Throughout the album, Coltrane's playing is characterized by his signature "sheets of sound" technique, in which he plays rapid, complex runs of notes that seem to cascade and flow endlessly. The quartet's interplay is also exceptional, with each member contributing to the album's overall sense of improvisational freedom and musical unity. Trane's classic quartet of Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, and Jimmy Garrison together created one of the most thought-provoking albums of their relationship.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of spirituality, redemption, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The music is delivered with an intensity and sincerity that is palpable, making it a deeply moving and powerful listening experience.

Overall, A Love Supreme is a landmark album that showcases Coltrane's unparalleled musicianship and profound spiritual insight. It's a must-listen for jazz enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates music that speaks to the soul.

 

1. Part I - Acknowledgement

2. Part II - Resolution

3. Part III - Pursuance / Part IV - Psalm

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 8 person(s) rated this product.

The Real Deal posted on 05/11/2022 5 Stars Reviewer: Chris O. Yes...Just compared this Analogue Productions/QRP version vs my JVC Japan pressing from the 70s...No contest, the JVC version is clear and hifi sounding....This AP version sounds like music, real and life like. QRP quality and great mastering for less than $40...no brainer purchase.

finally hearing it clear posted on 01/12/2022 5 Stars What a treat this is. I have listened to this probably more than any single album ever. Alsways muddy and dark and compressed sounding and if on vinyl plenty of ticks and pops to go along with it. Not anymore. This one is like you took the cotton out of your ears. I still don't think this is the greatest recording but what they did with the sound here is a minor miracle. I will treasure this album for the rest of my life. If you haven't let this album really sink in do it, it would be easier than ever now that it sounds so much better.

WInner!!!! posted on 12/06/2020 5 Stars If you see RKS and QRP in the deadwax you know your in for a treat,,, This is probably the best version of A Love Supreme that i own,,, 5 stars across the board .....Grab while you can these will go fast

Goosebumps! posted on 11/30/2020 5 Stars Reviewer: Anthony This is as close to religion as I can get without going to church.

Excellent sound and superb pressing posted on 11/12/2020 5 Stars Reviewer: Black Circle Spinner This is by far the best vinyl issue of this classic album. Ryan Smith captured the essence of the master tape into the groove and the experts at Chad's plating and pressing plants did the rest. One of the quietest vinyl records I've ever put on a turntable. Bravo!

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