Huntington Ashram Monastery cover

Huntington Ashram Monastery

Alice Coltrane · 1969

35 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A transcendent blend of jazz, spirituality, and avant-garde textures, infused with Alice Coltrane's ethereal harp and cosmic vision.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Huntington Ashram Monastery — The title track sets the spiritual tone for the album, showcasing Coltrane's ability to weave complex melodies with a meditative ambiance that invites introspection.
  • →
    Turiya — This piece highlights Coltrane's virtuosic harp skills while creating a serene atmosphere that embodies the album's transcendental themes.
  • →
    IHS — A powerful culmination of the album's emotional journey, this track features rich harmonies and rhythmic complexity that exemplify Coltrane's innovative approach to jazz.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
71 /100
Alpine
Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album showcases innovative compositions and a unique sound, blending jazz with spiritual themes through Coltrane's harp.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended compositions, with each track averaging over six minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
  • Alice Coltrane's harp takes a central role, often weaving intricate melodies that interact with the other instruments rather than dominating them.
  • The use of modal jazz structures creates a sense of openness and fluidity, inviting listeners to engage with the music on a meditative level.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • transcendent soundscapes for meditation
  • ethereal harp for reflective moments
  • spiritual journey through sound
  • immersive listening for introspection

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking instant gratification
  • prefer concise, punchy tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1969, Huntington Ashram Monastery was Alice Coltrane's second solo album following her debut, A Monastic Trio. By this time, she had emerged from the shadows of her husband John Coltrane's legacy, forging a unique path that combined jazz with spiritual exploration and Eastern philosophy.
Stylistic neighbors
Pharoah Sanders· Sun Ra· Don Cherry

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Huntington Ashram Monastery 5:35
  • 2 Turiya 4:21
  • 3 Paramahansa Lake 4:36
  • 4 Via Sivanandagar 6:09
  • 5 IHS 8:50
  • 6 Jaya Jaya Rama 6:25

What to play next

Journey in Satchidananda
Listen next

Journey in Satchidananda

1971
A Monastic Trio
Go back to

A Monastic Trio

1968
Full Alice Coltrane discography Artists like Alice Coltrane
jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata