Impulse!

Impulse! on vinyl: the house that Trane built

In short: Impulse! was founded at ABC-Paramount in 1960/61 and, with John Coltrane, became a defining label of sixties modern jazz – it was called “The House That Trane Built”. “A Love Supreme”, Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp came out here, recognisable by the orange-and-black sleeves. For some years now Impulse! has been releasing new recordings again. The Vinyl Room currently has 45 Impulse! records.

From our stock

Impulse! first pressings

Modal & post bop

Still sealed

New in

→ John Coltrane · Charles Mingus · ABC-Paramount · How to spot a first pressing

What makes Impulse! special?

Founder Creed Taylor gave Impulse! an unmistakable look: gatefold covers with big photos, orange-and-black spines and labels. From 1961 Bob Thiele took over and gave John Coltrane a free hand – “"Live" At The Village Vanguard” and “A Love Supreme” were the result. Charles Mingus recorded “Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus” here too, and Gil Evans “Out Of The Cool”.

The late sixties and the seventies brought spiritual jazz and political records: Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp with “Attica Blues”. Today Impulse! is releasing new recordings again – in our stock, for example, Shabaka And The Ancestors, Sons Of Kemet and Brandee Younger – as well as archive finds like Thelonious Monk’s “Palo Alto”.

FAQ

What does “The House That Trane Built” mean? It’s what Impulse! is called, because John Coltrane shaped the label in the sixties like no one else.

How can I recognise an Impulse! record? Usually by the orange-and-black labels and spines and the gatefold cover. Whether it’s a first pressing is shown by label, catalogue number, runout and cover together.

Does Impulse! still exist? Yes, for some years new recordings have been coming out there again, for example by Shabaka Hutchings and Brandee Younger.

What music do you have on Impulse!? Modal jazz, hard bop, post bop, big band and new jazz – 45 records in all.