The Classic Quartet: The Complete Impulse! Recordings cover

The Classic Quartet: The Complete Impulse! Recordings

John Coltrane · 1998

524 min · 66 tracks · post-bop · free jazz · hard bop

A transcendent journey through intricate harmonies and improvisational depths, showcasing Coltrane's relentless creativity.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic exploration with peaks
  • transcendent journey through harmonies
  • wave-like pacing for deep listening
  • improvisational depths to uncover
  • two-halves for reflective sessions

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer concise, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

Themes
spiritual awakening· civil rights reflections· avant-garde exploration
Career context
Released in 1998, this collection compiles John Coltrane's groundbreaking works from the 1960s, a period marked by his artistic peak. Following the acclaimed 'A Love Supreme' in 1965, Coltrane was exploring spiritual themes and complex modal structures, solidifying his status as a revolutionary figure in jazz.
Stylistic neighbors
Pharoah Sanders· Ornette Coleman· Albert Ayler
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Karma by Pharoah Sanders — Explores similar spiritual themes with rich improvisation and modal jazz structures.
Journey in Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane — Merges avant-garde exploration with spiritual depth, using lush instrumentation and meditative soundscapes.
A Tribute to Jack Johnson by Miles Davis — Features dynamic improvisation and a fusion of jazz with rock elements, echoing Coltrane's exploratory spirit.

Tracklist

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

Disc 1

  • 1 Greensleeves 3:45
  • 2 It's Easy to Remember 2:48
  • 3 The Inchworm 6:19
  • 4 Big Nick 4:08
  • 5 Out of This World 14:05
  • 6 Soul Eyes 5:26
  • 7 Miles' Mode 7:34
  • 8 Tunji 6:35
  • 9 Nancy (With the Laughing Face) 3:14
  • 10 What's New? 3:47
  • 11 Up 'Gainst the Wall 3:17
  • 12 Too Young to Go Steady 4:24
  • 13 All or Nothing at All 3:38
  • 14 I Wish I Knew 4:51

Disc 2

  • 1 You Don't Know What Love Is 5:14
  • 2 Say It (Over and Over Again) 4:18
  • 3 Vilia 4:38
  • 4 After the Rain 4:14
  • 5 Dear Old Stockholm 10:44
  • 6 Your Lady 6:41
  • 7 Alabama (takes 4 & 5) 5:10
  • 8 Lonnie's Lament 11:47
  • 9 The Drum Thing 7:24
  • 10 Wise One 9:01

Disc 3

  • 1 Crescent 8:44
  • 2 Bessie's Blues 3:35
  • 3 A Love Supreme, Part 1: Acknowledgement 7:47
  • 4 A Love Supreme, Part 2: Resolution 7:25
  • 5 A Love Supreme, Part 3: Pursuance 10:44
  • 6 A Love Supreme, Part 4: Psalm 7:08
  • 7 Nature Boy (first version) 7:05
  • 8 Nature Boy 8:03
  • 9 Feelin' Good 6:24
  • 10 Chim Chim Cheree 6:56

Disc 4

  • 1 Brasilia 12:57
  • 2 Song of Praise 9:51
  • 3 After the Crescent 13:40
  • 4 Dear Lord 5:37
  • 5 One Down, One Up 15:31
  • 6 Welcome 5:28
  • 7 The Last Blues 4:23

Disc 5

  • 1 Untitled Original 90314 14:48
  • 2 Transition 15:31
  • 3 Suite: Prayer and Meditation: Day / Peace and After / Prayer and Meditation: Evening / Affirmation / Prayer and Meditation: 4AM 21:20
  • 4 Living Space 10:24
  • 5 Dusk Dawn 10:48

Disc 6

  • 1 Vigil 9:52
  • 2 Untitled Original 90320 10:48
  • 3 Dearly Beloved 6:29
  • 4 Attaining 11:28
  • 5 Sun Ship 6:15
  • 6 Ascent 10:09
  • 7 Amen 8:14

Disc 7

  • 1 Love 8:03
  • 2 Compassion 9:34
  • 3 Joy 8:48
  • 4 Consequences 7:20
  • 5 Serenity 6:14
  • 6 Joy (second version) 12:21

Disc 8

  • 1 Crescent (first version) 10:08
  • 2 Bessie's Blues (first version, incomplete) 3:01
  • 3 Song of Praise (first version) 2:44
  • 4 A Love Supreme, Part 2: Resolution (alternate take) 7:25
  • 5 Feelin' Good (alternate take) 6:20
  • 6 Dear Lord (breakdowns & alternate take) 7:45
  • 7 Living Space (breakdown & alternate take) 14:02

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata