February 21st, 1971 - Alice Coltrane descends on Carnegie Hall in New York City to perform John Coltrane’s gargantuan “Africa” with a stellar ensemble of John’s friends, proteges and collaborators. The concert was part of a benefit for Swami Satchidananda’s Integral Yoga Institute, taking place four years after Trane’s passing. Alice leads the ensemble on piano and harp, Trane’s favorite saxophonists Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp play woodwinds and percussion, Jimmy Garrison and Cecil McBee tower over the proceedings on dual basses, Ed Blackwell and Clifford Jarvis play drums, with Tulsi on tambura and Kumar Kramer on harmonium. To be in the room with this stellar group of musicians, let alone Carnegie MF Hall, and to hear them perform “Africa” at that… dear lord, what a treat. The rest of the tri-state area were fortunate enough to hear the concert on WQXR FM, and thanks to that broadcast these recordings endure nearly 50 years later. Limited edition black vinyl pressing.

• black vinyl pressing
• music label: Alternative Fox 2020

reviewed by nick nightingale 02/2020