Journey in Satchidananda (album)

Journey in Satchidananda is the fourth solo album by Alice Coltrane. Its title (and title track) reflects Coltrane's inspiration by Swami Satchidananda, to whom she had become close, and whose disciple she was.

"Shiva-Loka", or "realm of Shiva" &mdash; the realm of the third member of the Hindu trinity, the "dissolver of creation". "Stopover Bombay" refers to a five week stay in India and Sri Lanka on which Coltrane was due to go in December 1970. "Something About John Coltrane" is based on themes by her late husband, John Coltrane. "Isis and Osiris", on which Charlie Haden replaces Cecil McBee on bass, and Vishnu Wood plays oud, indicates Coltrane's interest in Middle Eastern and North African music and culture. The presence of the tamboura, played by Tulsi, reflects Coltrane's interest in Indian music and religion.

Reception
The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4½ stars stating "this is a remarkable album, and necessary for anyone interested in the development of modal and experimental jazz. It's also remarkably accessible".

Track listing

 * 1) "Journey in Satchidananda" -6:39
 * 2) "Shiva-Loka" - 6:37
 * 3) "Stopover Bombay" - 2:54
 * 4) "Something About John Coltrane" - 9:44
 * 5) "Isis and Osiris" - 11:49

All compositions by Alice Coltrane. Tracks 1–4 recorded at the Coltrane home studio, Dix Hills, New York, on November 8, 1970; track 5 recorded live at The Village Gate, New York City, on July 4, 1970.

Influence

 * Paul Weller has often cited this album as a favourite, including it in a "12 Albums You Must Hear Right Now!" list he compiled for Mojo magazine in 2005. His biographer Paolo Hewitt recalls how Weller was so taken with the title track that he unwittingly put it on three different mixtapes he compiled for him. Weller also composed "Song for Alice" in tribute to Coltrane, releasing it on his 2008 album 22 Dreams.

Personnel

 * Alice Coltrane &mdash; harp, piano
 * Pharoah Sanders &mdash; soprano saxophone, percussion
 * Vishnu Wood &mdash; oud (on track 5)
 * Charlie Haden &mdash; bass (on track 5)
 * Cecil McBee &mdash; bass
 * Tulsi &mdash; tambura
 * Rashied Ali &mdash; drums
 * Majid Shabazz &mdash; bells, tambourine