#446 Alice Coltrane, 'Journey in Satchidanada' (1971)

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Remarkably the first Jazz record to make an appearance in the countdown. Looking back at the last list, the first Jazz record made an appearance at #447 (it was Stan Getz & João Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto), so while a different album, pretty consistent. 

The fourth solo album of Alice Coltrane, the wife of the late John Coltrane and talented musician in her own right. This record is pretty beguiling. Coltrane’s harp playing is mesmerizing and the constant drone of the tanpura is pretty hypnotising. Cecil McBee’s double bass leads the melody of the songs, giving them some semblance of form and the songs are rounded out by the great Pharoah Sanders.

Best enjoyed with your eyes closed and your mind wandering, if you dislike Jazz, you’ll hate this, but if you dabble, it’s well worth dipping a toe in. It is indeed a journey.

#rs500albums