Interstellar Space

1	Mars 10:43
2	Venus 8:36
3	Jupiter 5:25
4	Saturn 11:43
5	Leo Bonus Track 10:56
6	Jupiter Variation previously unreleased / Bonus Track 6:43

Barnes & Noble

Two musicians can make a whole mess of sound, particularly when they're John Coltrane and Rashied Ali. A series of duets between Coltrane and his last drummer, Interstellar Space is as hard-hitting as it comes, with both men out to brew up their own personal hurricane. Ali was certainly a very different-sounding drummer than his predesessor Elvin Jones, but he was just as inspirational to Coltrane. The saxophonist, sticking solely to tenor, sounds as passionate as ever, maybe more so, his tonal barrages threatening to blow down the walls of the studio. Yet there's more than just power at play here. Coltrane is able to construct eddies of melody and lyricism amongst the tonal torrents. Ali isn't the mighty multirhythmic pounder that Jones was, but he interacts brilliantly with Coltrane, goading him on with unexpected rhythmic twists and turns. For those who find Coltrane's late period stimulating, this unique encounter - the saxophonist's only full-length duet recording -- is as exciting as it gets. Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

Not released for the first time until 1974 but now available in expanded form as a CD, this set of duets by tenor saxophonist John Coltrane and drummer Rashied Ali are full of fire, emotion and constant abstract invention. The original four pieces ("Mars," "Venus," "Jupiter" and "Saturn") are joined by "Leo" and "Jupiter Variation." Coltrane alternates quiet moments with sections of great intensity, showing off his phenominal technique and ability to improvise without the need for chordal instruments. Rousing if somewhat inaccessible music. Scott Yanow