John Coltrane - Ascension (Edition II)

Coltrane's Ascension was originally released with the second take of the music from the recording session on June 28, 1965. These original pressings are commonly referred to as 'Edition I' and are grouped in a separate master release ([m=32364]).

Shortly thereafter, Coltrane expressed a desire to instead use the first take. Impulse swapped out the stamper(s) for one(s) with the first take and inscribed 'Edition II' in the dead wax - ceasing production of the original version.

If you have an orange/black labelled pressing of Ascension from the mid-to-late 1960s, the presence or absence of 'Edition II' in the dead wax is the simplest way to determine which version you have.

The solo order differs slightly between the takes; Edition II also features no drum solo by Elvin Jones.

Some later CD issues have included both takes.