Ascension

1	Ascension Edition II 40:56
2	Ascension Edition I 38:30

Barnes & Noble

ASCENSION is where John Coltrane drew the line in the sand and dared others to cross. From here on in, the iconic saxophonist was committed to exploring the outer edges of jazz. One of his most innovative and demanding recordings, ASCENSION is often compared to Ornette Coleman's monumental FREE JAZZ; both recordings consist of a single extended, open-ended improvisation made by an enlarged ensemble. Coltrane's piece, recorded four years after Coleman's, is both denser in instrumental texture and strikingly more dissonant. With avant terrors Archie Shepp and Pharoah Sanders blaring their saxophones, the music flirts with chaos, but "Ascension," like "Free Jazz," never loses a sense of discernible swing; thanks, in Coltrane's case, to the great drum dynamo Elvin Jones. While this work may be a departure from 'Trane classics "Giant Steps" and "My Favorite Things," those willing to follow Coltrane's daring muse will find incalculable rewards. Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

Ascension is the single recording that placed John Coltrane firmly into the avant-garde. Whereas, prior to 1965, Coltrane could be heard playing in an avant vein with stretched-out solos, atonality, and a seemingly free design to the beat, Ascension throws most rules right out the window with complete freedom from the groove and strikingly abrasive sheets of horn interplay. Recorded with three tenors (Trane, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp), two altos (Marion Brown, John Tchicai), two trumpet players (Freddie Hubbard, Dewey Johnson), two bassists (Art Davis, Jimmy Garrison), the lone McCoy Tyner on piano, and Elvin Jones on the drums, this large group is both relentless and soulful simultaneously. While there are segments where the ensemble plays discordant and abrasive skronks, these are usually segues into intriguing blues-based solos from each member. The comparison that is immediately realized is Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz of five years previous. However, it should be known that Ascension certainly carries its own weight, and in a strange sense makes Coleman's foray a passive adventure -- mostly due to an updated sonic quality (à la Bob Thiele) and also Trane's greater sense of passionate spiritualism. Timed at around 40 minutes, this can be a difficult listen at first, but with a patient ear and an appreciation for the finer things in life, the reward is a greater understanding of the personal path that the artist was on at that particular time in his development. Coltrane was always on an unceasing mission for personal expansion through the mouthpiece of his horn, but by the time of this recording he had begun to reach the level of "elder statesman" and to find other voices (Shepp, Sanders, and Marion Brown) to propel and expand his sounds and emotions. Therefore, Ascension reflects more of an event rather than just a jazz record and should be sought out by either experienced jazz appreciators or other open-minded listeners, but not by unsuspecting bystanders. ~ Jack LV Isles, All Music Guide