 On "Ascension" (and unlike on Ornette Coleman's ""), group ensembles alternate with solos, and take up about equal space.The basic theme stated in the opening and closing ensembles is a variation on the major motif of Coltrane's earlier album "A Love Supreme", recorded in December 1964, particularly the opening bass riff stated on said album's opening track, "Acknowledgment".Coltrane gave the musicians no directions for their solos, other than that they were to end with a crescendo.