Africa (Pharoah Sanders album) explained

Africa
Type:Album
Artist:Pharoah Sanders
Cover:Africa (Pharoah Sanders album).jpg
Released:1987
Recorded:March 11, 1987
Studio:Studio 44, Monster, Netherlands
Genre:Jazz
Length:56:59
Label:Timeless SJP 253
Producer:Wim Wigt
Chronology:Pharoah Sanders
Prev Title:Shukuru
Prev Year:1985
Next Title:Oh Lord, Let Me Do No Wrong
Next Year:1987

Africa is an album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1987 and released on the Dutch Timeless label.[1]

Reception

In his review for AllMusic, Steve Loewy commented: "Most will probably prefer the original Coltrane to Sanders' imitations, but Africa is nonetheless a joyous and worthy tribute to one of the giants of jazz. This album marked somewhat of a backtrack for the saxophonist, as he had frequently become identified with much more traditional playing".

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings called the recording "Lovely, lovely stuff," and noted the "change of label and... deliciously stripped-down personnel." They stated that Lundy "fits in with Hicks like jigsaw pieces, a rich, contoured sound that prompts the wonder that Sanders ever wants to work in any other context."

Matt Fripp of Jazz Fuel included the album in his selection of "Ten Iconic Pharoah Sanders Albums," and wrote: "Sanders is able to tame the wilder musical excesses of his youth in favour of a simple, melodically inspired approach."[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Pharoah Sanders except as indicated

  1. "You've Got to Have Freedom" – 10:01
  2. "Naima" (John Coltrane) – 5:26
  3. "Origin" – 6:50
  4. "Speak Low" (Kurt Weill, Ogden Nash) – 8:04
  5. "After The Morning" (John Hicks) – 6:29
  6. "Africa" – 8:20
  7. "Heart to Heart" – 7:17 Bonus track on CD & Music On Vinyl reissue[3]
  8. "Duo" – 4:32 Bonus track on CD & Music On Vinyl reissue[4]

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. http://www.jazzdisco.org/pharoah-sanders/catalog/#timeless-sjp-253 Pharoah Sanders discography
  2. Web site: Ten Iconic Pharoah Sanders Albums . Matt . Fripp . September 2, 2022 . Jazz Fuel . October 17, 2022.
  3. Web site: Pharoah Sanders, John Hicks, Curtis Lundy & Idris Muhammad - Africa (2LP) . Funky Duck Vinyl . 11 March 2023.
  4. Web site: Pharoah Sanders, John Hicks, Curtis Lundy & Idris Muhammad - Africa (2LP) . Funky Duck Vinyl . 11 March 2023.