Search - Pharoah Sanders :: Message From Home

Forceful .without being aggressive

02/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there were any need at all for confirmation that Pharoah Sanders is still a very spiritual and forceful player,this cd delivers it.Here,more than ever,the African element dominates through the pieces themselves and the presence of individual African musicians, African instruments and drummers.Though at times one feels the influence of modern pop,the spiritual element clearly dominates. Sanders must do a solo album to crown his fantastic musical production over the years."

Superb, passionate, and warm

Kymberly Macagy | Tarpon Springs, FL United States | 01/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who have been waiting for a recording that reiterates the almost mystical emotional power that has typified Pharoah Sanders' work through much of his life, here it is. Welcome home!"

Spread the Good Word

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 08/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Out of the number of collaborations between Pharoah Sanders and Bill Laswell, this 1996 release is the most satisfying. The roots of the rhythms, instruments and vocals are strongly based on African traditions, with Sanders as the wise storyteller who refuses to allow history to be rewritten through the pens and keyboards of the manipulators in the political game, the conquerors in the resource wars and the slave traders who left trails soaked in tears.



Though the bolstered sound is through a variety of musicians and vocalists, the nucleus surrounding Sanders (tenor and soprano sax, flutes, bells, bowls, vocals) is Bernie Worrell (keyboards, vocals), Michael White (violin), William Henderson (acoustic/electric piano, vocals), Foday Musa Suso (vocals, kora, doussn'gouni) and Dominic Kanza (guitar). The programming is by Jeff Bova, who also performs on keyboards.



The central track is Ocean Song (8:49), which emits such sadness due to the soft waves and cool winds being used to destroy societies for unbridled greed; Sanders is calling back to the spirits and allowing them the space to journey through the false chronicles to calmly explain the reality. The song fades into the optimistic Kumba (7:50) and joyous closer Country Mile (6:03). A Sun Ra-flavored opener - Our Roots (Began in Africa) - has a powerful hip-hop groove over the solid 10:21, which propels the opening half of the musical sojourn - Nozipho (9:43) and Tomoki (6:26) - as Laswell is at his studio best; his "Wall of the World Sound" does not overpower the mix.



The message from Sanders is clear...when the eyes are open and ears are prepared to handle the truth.







"