Sandwiched between the final album recorded by Archie Shepp and The New York Contemporary Five in February of 1964 and John Coltrane’s sacred A Love Supreme recorded in December of the same year, Four for Trane was recorded on this date, August 10, 1964.

Shepp’s first recording for a major label (Impulse!), Four for Trane is a provocative recreation of four Coltrane compositions plus one Shepp original. Three of the four Coltrane compositions
are off of the pivotal Giant Steps (Atlantic Records, 1959) with a fourth recorded on Coltrane Plays the Blues (Atlantic Records, 1960).

Archie Shepp and personnel

Joining Shepp are trombonist Roswell Rudd (whose arrangements are key to the sound of this recording), altoist John Tchicai, Alan Shorter on flugelhorn, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Charles Moffett.

The playing on Four for Trane is fervent, free, rooted, raw and bluesy–a good place to start exploring the freer elements of the music.

Track listing:
1. Syeeda’s Song Flute; 2. Mr. Syms; 3. Cousin Mary; 4. Naima; 5. Rufus (Swung his face at last to the wind, then his neck snapped).