Album Discussion: RTF - "Light As A Feather"

I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread where we can all discuss various albums in the world of jazz. This would keep the forums a little less cluttered. We'll have discussions of each album for a few days, or until no one posts on the current album. I'll try and have more popular albums be the focus, with the occasional forgotten gem, this way we can have as many people joining in.

Today, we'll start off with John Coltrane - "Blue Train" (1957)


I figure this one is a good one to start with. Probably his most popular album after Giant Steps and A Love Supreme. This is early Coltrane, nothing too abrasive. But the music on Blue Train is lovely, kinda reminds me of Christmas time. This album is actually my second favorite of his, behind A Love Supreme. Better things were to come, but I've always enjoyed this one immensely.


Edited by darkshade - 04 Feb 2013 at 4:02pm

That's funny, I know I've seen this album listened to by a lot of people here or at PA. We'll see how this goes.

Although I don't know a whole lot of the original 50s hard bop, I think it's no brainer to call Blue Train one of the best at it. Such a fun album, so much energy. Although it's not one of the Trane I listen to most, I think it's a damn good entry into the world of jazz because of the instantly catchy melodies and solos and, of course, the hard bop rhythm.

^ I agree.

Also, that pic

One of my favourite Coltrane albums, the first I got of his actually. Love that solo on the title track and Lazy Bird is another favourite from that album. I remember reccomending itto a customer when I used to work in retrail and it basically hooked them on jazz

Another great album I don't have, although I have listened to a lot of these songs many times on my own mix tapes and online radio stations, so you could say I'm pretty familiar with this one. If there is a bad Mingus album, I have not heard it.

js wrote: Another great album I don't have, although I have listened to a lot of these songs many times on my own mix tapes and online radio stations, so you could say I'm pretty familiar with this one. If there is a bad Mingus album, I have not heard it.

Heh, I'll find one that you own sooner or later. Why don't you have these classic albums?

Alright, time to move to some fusion. Next album up is Return to Forever's "Romantic Warrior" (1976)



Personally, this album sparked my interest in both Progressive Rock AND Jazz AND Fusion all at once. Amazing. I still think this is a classic in the fusion genre, like, top 3 best fusion albums ever made. Sure, the amount of improv is less than on previous RTF albums, but it's there. The production on this album is one of the best I've ever heard on a 70s jazz or fusion album, especially compared to their previous 3 albums. Stanley Clarke plays some of the best bass lines he's ever done, and Chick Corea, well, c'mon, he's Chick Corea. This is also one of Al Di Meola's best examples of his playing.

I personally don't like all the hype the album has and got, I think that as jazz fusion Where Have I Known You Before is a far more interesting and fun album.

Edited by Abraxas - 20 Aug 2012 at 1:30pm