Alice Coltrane - Universal Consciousness & Lord Of Lords (2011) {Impulse!}
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© 2011 Impulse! / Verve | 06007 5334726
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Modern Composition

The two Impulse albums by Alice Coltrane presented on this single CD are actually the bookends of a trilogy, representing the artist's final recordings for the label. Universal Consciousness was recorded in three sessions in 1971 and released in 1972, and Lord of Lords, recorded in a single 1972 session, was released in 1973. The album between them is World Galaxy. Universal Consciousness utilized a small string section to augment its trio and quartet settings; by contrast, Lord of Lords emulated its immediate predecessor (World Galaxy) in employing a 16- piece string section behind the trio of Coltrane, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Ben Riley.

The band was founded in 1992 by Shamaatae, who had previously played drums in CONQUEST/GROTESQUE (which were to become AT THE GATES). Shamaatae is also renowned for his occult writings on Pan, anti-cosmic Satanism, Norse tradition, runic witchcraft and chaos-Gnosticism, all of which inspire his music. Now “Helvítismyrkr” marks the next step in the evolution of ARCKANUM by adding strong influences from the 80’s to its unique Black and Death Metal mix. Descend into the dark realm of Hel!

In music, there are leaders and there are followers. For every blistering riff there is an imitator, for each impassioned bellow, a sound-alike. It is the challenge of the modern musician to take the infinte set of notes upon which all music is built, and make it their own.WARBRINGER did not invent their own vein of Metal. They were proceded by greats like Slayer, Exodus, Testament, Anthrax and the mighty Metallica - but over the course of their previous two albums, they have managed to construct songs that are equal parts ferocity and finesse, and in doing so, created a sound that is distinctly their own. With the release of World Torn Asunder, WARBRINGER are poised to take their rightful place at the table alongside the big boys.

Telecommunication demonstrates Azymuth's ability to occasionally get into trouble when resorting to hi-tech gimmickry for its own sake, but also illustrates how rewarding the Brazilian trio can be. With its vocoder-ish hijinks, the funk-influenced "May I Have This Dance" is a dated and corny bit of silliness unworthy of Azymuth. But there's also much to admire on this CD, including the haunting "The House I Lived In," the sensuous "Country Road," and the sentimental "Last Summer in Rio." Though keyboardist/pianist José Roberto Bertrami and bassist/guitarist Alex Malheiros do not always stretch out enough, the results are quite appealing when they do.

Thick-toned tenor Ike Quebec is in excellent form on this CD reissue of a 1961 Blue Note date. His ballad statements are quite warm, and he swings nicely on a variety of medium-tempo material. Unfortunately, organist Freddie Roach has a rather dated sound, which weakens this session a bit; bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Al Harewood are typically fine in support. Originals alternate with standards, with "Just One More Chance," "The Man I Love," and "Nature Boy" (the latter an emotional tenor-bass duet) being among the highlights.