The story of Coltrane Clay

Jazz is a very personal experience; like mushrooms, it can take time for the palate to make sense of it.

But when the blocks do fall in place and the palate settles, crystal, clear; you cannot believe you never tasted it before now, the mind stretched to a new idea that will never go back to its original shape.

That's what it was like for me the first time I "heard" John Coltrane play 'My favorite things'; the tune from the sound of music, almost unrecognisable, instantly making a song I have previously scorned, a tune I could not not stop thinking about. Now filled with feeling, with nuance, with a story line that was entirely new. Suddenly it was personal, it made sense, my own sense no one else's. Coltrane arrive for me, a brooding, dirty, difficult aloof and a hard to reach angel, but an angel as true as day.

There were other Jazz musicians; Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, each name seemed more exotic than the last. But none matched Coltrane or even came close, he so easily affected me, my mood, my state of mind.

Coltrane defined the very idea of an artist. Consumed, hardworking, intense and focused through absolute dedication to his art and at the same time, cool. Not in the modern sense of the word, but in its original context. Strong, set aside from the mainstream, yet honoured and admired by it, attractive, seductive, alone. I love John Coltrane for showing us the way.

WHY WE MADE IT

So Triumph & Disaster's hair clay is a direct homage to the greatness of the man, to his legacy, he will always have my back so we hope this styling clay will have yours.

It was designed with all these emotions and thoughts in front of us. From the iconic gold and black packaging to the muted fragrance tones we call American tobacco, aromas like you might once have expected in a New York dive bar where JC once played. The textured, layered styling effect the clay delivers to hair, a multifaceted performed that says I'm here on my terms, I may party, I may not, whatever I decide it will be my decision, the gift of managing your own style, that was inspired by the one and only John William Coltrane.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1/ Medium Hold, Matte Finish & Re-workable - Feels and looks natural but is flexible enough to rework throughout the day.

2/ Suits fine to thick, short to medium length hair, so it's not all things to everybody and we say that's OK.

3/ Curl the hair, add some Coltrane Clay to your hands, warm it up and apply to mids and ends.

4/ Apply a small amount of Coltrane Clay through damp or dry hair from the back of the head to the front, working it in, and styling to suit. Good for showing off texture and layers. Walk tall, run strong, fight the good fight.

5/ Includes great sustainable natural ingredients that avoid the traditional nasties.

HELPS WITH

Adds volume and texture, will hold your hair up & not weigh it down.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Matte finish, textured look without shine.

Ability to restyle throughout the day

Nourishes the hair.

Coltrane’s heady mix of Wunder ingredients

Jordan & Pippen, Kobe & Shaq, Jagger & Richards, Paul & John, Coltrane and Miles; Great combinations play off each other, their respective strengths filling in the space left by the other, one breathing in as the other breathes out, their styles so intertwined they become like one when in motion.

When we formulate the same rules apply. What we combine together needs to create magic that is greater than the sum of its individual parts, combinations must make the product sing, and make it world class.

Pracaxi Oil

So we have it here in our Coltrane Hair Clay. Flashy, mysterious, exotic Pracaxi oil in all its natural glory combining with humble, solemn, oft misunderstood beeswax, the bass to Pracaxi’s lead.

Pracaxi Oil is from the Pentaclethra macroloba tree that grows in the deepest and darkest corners of the countries like Nicaragua and Brazil. Pracaxi oil is obtained by a natural (chemical free) cold press process that draws the oil from the seeds and flesh. The secrets of the Pracaxi seed have been widely known in the Amazon for generations where it has been used on anything from acne and burns to body and hair oil. In Coltrane it is an awesome conditioning agent and works in combination with the waxes and clay to leave hair feeling smooth and soft.

Pracaxi actually has one of the highest natural concentrations of Behenic Acid which is a fatty acid that creates a protective barrier against pollution and environmental hazards for both skin and hair which is great for busy city streets. Pracaxi is also very rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily oleic (omega 9) and linoleic (omega 6) which promote firmness and helps to tone the scalp when you where it. Finally Pracaxi oil is highly absorptive, increasing the efficacy of other ingredients it combines with.

Beeswax

So what to say about humble old Beeswax? It is a natural substance generated and secreted by honey bees. It is hard and breakable when cold but soft and pliable when heated.

The benefits to our hair are plentiful adding texture and the volume that makes it appear stronger and thicker and makes it easier to mould and style. Beeswax assists in preventing split ends whilst delivering shine and natural protection from the elements – it’s like the best older brother you ever had - Beeswax has your back. Beeswax hydrates, conditions, soothes, and calms the scalp, Beeswax nourishes, conditions, and softens the strands while and promoting the hair’s luster.

Beeswax is comprised largely of fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and esters. Because Beeswax does not spoil, become rancid, or otherwise expire, it can continue to be reheated and reused which makes it perfect for a natural hair clay when you need to bring your look back to life.

Brazil Wax

Back in the day grandpa might have cleaned his tobacco pipe with it, maybe he used it to coat the hull of his boat enhancing the speed and handling through water, it is still used today in many brands of surf wax for much the same properties. In Coltrane it helps create the hold and waterproofing to give your look longevity.

Kaolin/China Clay

Is soft white clay named after the hill in China (Kao-ling) where it was first mined. Used for centuries to make Chinese porcelain when kaolin is mixed with water it can be molded under pressure, the shape is retained after the pressure is removed making it a fantastic base for styling clay – thanks Coltrane.