the first time i heard this album was the first time i heard charles gayle. i checked it out from the eugene public library when i was about 19. i actually kept it till it was way overdue. back in those days i didn't have access to cd burning so i dubbed it to tape. when the tape wore out, i tried to buy an actual copy for myself - only to find that it had gone out of print and was now selling for 30$ or 40$ online. i would totally pay that much for a vinyl copy...but for a cd? anyway, its since been reissued, in all of its amazing 5 part glory. this is truly an amazing, beautiful recording. high energy, soulful, and free.
here's a little snippet from the label that has reissued "touchin' on trane"
"This is Charles Gayle’s most accessible work. Gayle’s mastery of free jazz is blended with a more traditional compositional style of jazz on this disc. Touchin’ on Trane is composed of five original songs, and even includes ex-Coltrane drummer Rashied Ali. As the title insists, Coltrane is the influence for the music on this disc. The influence ranges from the upbeat tempo of “Giant Steps” in “Part A,” while “Part D” is reminiscent of Coltrane’s “Live in Japan” performances. Gayle, bassist William Parker, and Ali don’t copy Coltrane, but rather expand on his accomplishments. Without covering any songs, Touchin’ on Trane is the greatest John Coltrane tribute album."
i wouldn't really say that this is gayles most "accessible" work. in fact, i would say that this album definitely not gayles most accessible work. and one thing is for sure, if we are going to compare this album to other forms of jazz, or let alone, other forms of music, that are considered accessible, than i would definitely have to say that this album is definitely not accessible.
this album does however manage to touch on the sound of john coltrane's later recordings - hence the title - a sound that is rarely attempted and/or accomplished.
touchin' on trane
charles gayle, tenor sax
william parker, bass
rashied ali, drums
originally released in 1991 on FMP
check out "touchin' on trane" here
here is a clip of gayle, parker, and ali in 2007:
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