Part 2: Resolution

John Coltrane (tenor sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Jimmy Garrison (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums). From the album A Love Supreme (1965).

The introduction is played by Garrison with the double bass. Suddenly he’s joined by everyone else. Coltrane exposes the theme by playing some sharp notes that imitate the ecstatic religious chants of the churches. Jones keeps the group under control with his drums and Coltrane uses elements of blues and oriental music to separate himself from the more explicit jazz of his three companions. Coltrane repeats the theme giving way to Tyner, who completely changes the main melody.

Coltrane's mystical discourses contrast with the pianist’s more carnal phrases. With his bebop he reminds him of his times of alcohol and drug addiction, and Coltrane returns infected by his materialism. Now his anguish and despair appear, and we no longer know whether he is preaching or lamenting. He tries to put himself back together, but only manages to play chaotic phrases. God became incarnate in man: if “Acknowledgment” was the Father, “Resolution” is the Son, who has to descend from heaven to earth to experience earthly life.

Finally, Coltrane re-exposes the spiritual theme, forcing the group to return to order and mysticism. They have come down from heaven to earth and up again to heaven.