Drummer Rashied Ali was a progenitor and leading exponent of the multidirectional rhythms/polytonal percussion known as "free jazz" drumming. He is arguably best known for being saxophonist John Coltrane's duet partner on the blistering Interstellar Space album. Recorded in 1967, it wasn't released until 1974. Ali was able to match the physical demands in the music while empathizing with its spiritual concerns. He debuted with Coltrane's group formally on Meditations, which also featured Pharoah Sanders in its lineup. After McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones left the band in 1966, Al...