2. Alice ColtranePtah, The El Daoud
To see a woman in charge, presenting ideas and allowing other musicians to accompany and support her, was an important framework to recognise. I think Alice Coltrane should be played so much more. I saw Brandee Younger play Alice Coltrane in New York, performing some of her piano stuff on the harp, and a few minutes in I thought “this should be at The Proms.” She was an absolute genius when it comes to melody, the way the piano runs under her fingers like water. She’s completely in control, she stops and re-shifts time. This album is a beautiful example of that.