The Mastery of John Coltrane, Vol. 2: To the Beat of a Different Drum cover

The Mastery of John Coltrane, Vol. 2: To the Beat of a Different Drum

John Coltrane · 1978

90 min · 8 tracks · post-bop · free jazz · hard bop

A sweeping exploration of jazz's boundaries, blending free improvisation with melodic structures.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic exploration of themes
  • wave-like pacing for reflection
  • immersive headphone listening experience
  • extended tracks for deep engagement
  • rich emotional landscapes to explore

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer quick, catchy tunes
  • seek straightforward, concise pieces

Where this album fits

Themes
spiritual exploration· posthumous legacy· melodic improvisation
Career context
Released in 1978, this album captures John Coltrane's legacy following his death in 1967. It represents a compilation of previously unreleased performances and showcases Coltrane's evolving sound during a period when he was pushing the limits of jazz. This collection serves as a testament to his influence on the genre, even posthumously.
Stylistic neighbors
Pharoah Sanders· Ornette Coleman· Albert Ayler
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Karma by Pharoah Sanders — Explores spiritual themes with expansive improvisation and a rich, modal soundscape.
Spiritual Unity by Albert Ayler — Shares a free jazz ethos with intense emotional expression and explorative melodies.
The Shape of Jazz to Come by Ornette Coleman — Pioneers free jazz with innovative structures and a focus on collective improvisation.

Tracklist

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

Disc 1

  • 1 Impressions 15:52
  • 2 I Want to Talk About You 8:17
  • 3 My Favorite Things 17:31
  • 4 After the Rain 4:07

Disc 2

  • 1 Dear Old Stockholm 10:35
  • 2 After the Crescent 13:34
  • 3 One Down, One Up 15:25
  • 4 Dear Lord 5:34

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata