John Coltrane's ’Fearless Leader’

Nearly 40 years after his untimely departure at the age of 40, John Coltrane remains one of the most emotionally compelling and profoundly influential figures of contemporary culture; a symbol of passionate commitment, consummate artistry and the spiritual potential to which humanity can aspire. Incredibly, his glorious legacy was set forth, in a little over 10 years of spectacular creativity. The initial stage of this unparalleled odyssey occurred during his extremely prolific relationship with Prestige Records, and is proudly displayed on the label's new 6-CD boxed set, Fearless Leader, released September 26 in celebration of Coltrane's 80th birthday.

The set spans nine sessions, recorded between May 31, 1957 (Trane's first as sole leader) and December 26, 1958. These resulted in 11 separate albums, bringing the phenomenal tenor saxophonist, composer and visionary international acclaim along with the controversy that would be a constant companion for the remainder of his life. Coltrane's overwhelmingly rapid artistic evolution would soon move him out of the realm of pure Jazz, through a world music domain heavily influenced by African and Indian elements and eventually into the rarefied zone of spiritual expression best characterized as "music of the spheres." But the Jazz tradition and its blues roots would always provide the mighty trunk from which his exploratory branches would reach toward the sky. The music on Fearless Leader displays Trane's pure Jazz explorations, while laying out a roadmap for the stunning developments that would lie ahead. With all profound artists, early works must be explored to truly understand later creations; otherwise it's like coming into a great film part way through. Fearless Leader provides enormous insight into Coltrane's creative process, and his highly personal and singular approach to blues, rhythm and improvisation that would always be front and center, regardless of his surroundings. The set also displays the younger Coltrane's maturing process, as he developed his utterly singular sound that penetrated into the very depths of the listener's soul.

The beautifully packaged set was compiled and produced by Patrick Milligan (who also produced the Grammy-nominated Coltrane set, Heavyweight Champion) and Cheryl Pawelski. It contains extensive and informative notes by Richard S. Ginell and noted Coltrane historian Lewis Porter, and includes many fine photographs by a variety of noted photographers, including Bob Parent, Chuck Stewart, William Claxton, Lee Tanner, Burt Goldblatt and Esmond Edwards.

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