Genesis & The Opening of the Way

Steve Coleman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 10, 1998)
• Original Release Date: March 10, 1998
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B0000064X5
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,339 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Day One

2. Day Two

3. Day Three

4. Day Four

5. Day Five

6. Day Six

7. Day Seven

8. Awareness

Disc: 2

1. Law Of Balance

2. Pi

3. First Cause

4. Wheel Of Nature

5. Rite Of Passage

6. Regeneration

7. Organic Movement

8. The Law

9. Fortitude And Chaos

10. Seti I

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

Saxophonist Steve Coleman has been focused on uncovering subtle but enduring connections in his music as well. Since commanding attention in the 1980s with his M-BASE collective, Coleman has set himself on a path of personal and musical exploration that draws inspiration from John Coltrane's methods and that has involved the study of ancient cultures such as Yoruba, Hebrew, Greek, and Sumerian, among others. Technically, Coleman's recent work has represented ambitious blends as well. Genesis & the Opening of the Way, combines members of his Five Elements band with master percussionists and string players. The music is built upon the type of peculiar musical geometry Coleman is been known for, this time fleshed out into a mysteriously wondrous approach.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album is beyond words, but I will try anyway., March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Genesis & The Opening of the Way (Audio CD)

Steve Coleman has been one of the few young jazz artists doing anything progressive for the past 10 or 15 years, and this album, particularly the second disc, is the highest level the Five Elements have ever reached.Coleman had been using Gene Lake on drums, who is one of the most powerful and precise drummers in the business, but he has Sean Rickman on this album. If you haven't heard of him, you better ask someone. As good as Lake is, Rickman is playing stuff that is just ridiculous.He is also using David Dyson on bass, which is new for him. Again, Coleman has found someone who can seriously play.The best way to sum up the album is mentioned in the liner notes. Coleman's music is "improvisation within nested looping structures."This album represents the way jazz would be moving if more cats would dare to be visionary.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Adventures In Jazz, August 7, 2002

By 

A. Davis "astandavis" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Genesis & The Opening of the Way (Audio CD)

I hesitated to write this review because Steve Coleman's music is very difficult to describe with words. You have to reach outside your normal vocabulary to describe the adventuresome music that this artist creates on "Genesis and The Opening of The Way." I can only describe this music as rhythm-deep with a continuously pulsating vibe that shakes your very soul. Coleman manages to conjure up very hypnotic trance-like grooves that are filled with wonderful nuggets of improvisation and melody. This band is also very tightly wound and supportive. I had never heard drummer Sean Rickman before this recording. It is awesome the way he drives the complex rhythms while Coleman improvises on top of the pulsating grooves. This is some of the most exciting Jazz I have heard in a long time. Repeated listening to the two discs only deepens your experience with this vibrant music. On top of all that, Coleman plays some of the meatiest Alto these ears have ever heard. This music may be difficult to listen to for the jazz purist, but if you are looking for new musical adventures - get this CD. You won't be disappointed. This is exceptional music. ...