Ornette Coleman Ornette on Tenor 180g LP

TAS Rated 5/5 Music, 5/5 Sonics in the July/August 2025 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

It would not be an exaggeration to claim that Ornette Coleman's collaboration with Atlantic Records changed the jazz world forever. On Ornette on Tenor, his sixth LP for the label (not counting outtakes compilations), he switches to tenor saxophone, but the great enrichment of this record is the participation of Jimmy Garrison on double bass. Compared to his previous recording, Ornette! (with Scott LaFaro on the bass), these recordings are earthier, darker. Garrison integrates seamlessly into Coleman's sound world. And he accompanies Coleman's tenor saxophone to perfection. He appears to have a lot of fun with his instrument, which he played previously in rhythm and blues combos. His musical lines breathe precisely this atmosphere, and sometimes one might believe one is listening to a "free" Coleman Hawkins.

Ever since his instrument was damaged in an assault, Coleman played relatively little on his tenor sax, but he never lost his love for the lyrical, highly expressive and pleasing tone. This might indicate a musically accessible session, but that is not the case. Rather more, it is adventurous, since there are no memorable themes to return to. All four musicians are accompanists, all four are soloists, musical lines of various importance interact, overlap and support one another continuously. It makes one think of a ample walk through an ever-changing (and yet consistent) landscape. The revolution continues.

This Speakers Corner LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head.

The sound on this beautifully remastered LP heightens our appreciation of the rhythm players. For all the brilliance of the sidemen and wild beauty of the group interactions, however, our attention is constantly drawn back to the leader. 'The tenor's got that thing, that honk, and you can get to people with it' says Coleman in the notes, and he certainly proves it here.