Alice Coltrane - Ptah, the El Daoud (1970)



Alice Coltrane's third solo album is sheer beauty. Her simple and sparse rhythm section sit comfortably in common time, setting a support upon which Alice - appearing on both piano and harp - and her horns explore a myriad of minor and pentatonic melodies. Their phrasing is moody, melancholic and haunting. Tunes like the title track and Blue Nile prove catchy and syncopated, while the absolutely gorgeous Turiya and Ramakrishna remains my ultimate remedy - if you're anything like me, nothing will sooth you like this song.

One can read alot into this album, recorded whilst Alice was actively engaged with several eastern concepts of spirituality, practices which she infused into her music. To me, the mysticism is in her musical phrasings; this is truly divine.

Om.

6 Responses so far.

  1. Anonymous says:

    spot on blurb. the opening piano phrase on Turiya is one of my all time favorite licks.

  2. OLDNIK says:

    Anything with the great Pharaoh Sanders on it is usually pretty good, this however is just pure brilliance!
    And great album cover too.

  3. ribs says:

    Absolutely brilliant album

  4. ssss says:

    Fucking Fantastic! Hey visit my blog too : http://macabreemptiness.blogspot.com

    We should exchange links!! Would be great.

  5. matsunez says:

    Could you please please please re-up this one? Thanks!

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