Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

12. Alice ColtraneDivine Songs

Journey In Satchidananda was my way into Alice Coltrane’s world but her recordings from the Vedantic Center made a big impact on me when I needed it most. After a few deep, dark years I came up for air and the gospel according to Swami Turiyasangitananda was waiting. It’s incredibly healing music, her voice is so pure and unaffected, I don’t think I’ve heard Alice sing on anything from the Impulse! era. I was listening to this a lot while reading Yogananda’s autobiography. Incidentally, John and Alice were Yogananda devotees. Lee Perry said God lives in the reverb, but here infinity dwells in glissando. The synths sweep and swoop like an enormous bird plucking souls from the earth and delivering them to Akasha. Beautiful, cosmic music.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Jenny Hval
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