A Love Supreme (1964)

"Acknowledgment" More time than John Coltrane's entire lifetime has passed since the release of this one. It seems to stand now outside and astride of time, fresh as a spring day, ancient as the earth, massive and gentle. Nothing and everything about it is familiar and well-worn, the grain of the horns, the sighing chants, the heights and depths risked on a path of spirituality. Yet, as the black and white cover signifies, it's composed entirely of grit and reality. Passion burns white hot and almost blinding, but the grit and reality are in the service of beautiful vision, naked vulnerable and endlessly present. It makes someone like me say things like this.

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My Favorite Things (1960)

John Coltrane ushered in the '60s with an album that is arguably the epitome -- the apotheosis -- of all day jazz. With only four tracks on this debut of his quartet with McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones, there's ample space for the modalities to unfold, ingratiate, pivot sideways, surprise, go quiet, hit the groove again, and guide your head, on conscious and unconscious levels alike. "My Favorite Things" went on to become something like a signature song for Coltrane & co., a staple in performance and frequently appearing on his live releases. I think, when Steve Wynn starts yelping about John Coltrane music, this is the kind of thing he's talking about. But really, it's hard to go wrong with this guy, or this album. So go ahead. Play it again.