Coltrane, Alice – “a Monastic Trio ” – [Impulse C/O Mca]

Alice Coltrane composes and, with help from some notable friends, performs, on harp (tracks 6-8) and piano, nine pieces dedicated to the memory of her husband John, whom you may have heard of. This release includes the six tracks of the original Monastic Trio release, plus two tracks from the quartet sessions (track 3 is also a quartet, despite the album name) inserted at the beginning, and a piano solo that was not included on John’s Expression LP at the end. Alice is the featured performer, and proves worthy of the treatment, moving through the pieces with delicate fluidity, gently showing us the depths of her sorrow. The backing is mostly light, though substantial, and carries her along nicely. Satisfying listening.