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— The Analog Vault // Essential Listening —

With Pharoah Sanders’ blessing, we present the definitive, remastered version of Pharoah, his seminal record from 1977, in an embossed 2 LP box set. Alongside the original record, we’re including two previously unreleased live performances of his masterpiece, “Harvest Time," and a 24-page booklet with rarely seen photographs and ephemera, which tell the story of this album and this moment in Pharoah’s life in a way that has never been done before—including through interviews with many of the participants and a conversation with Pharoah himself.

For those of you who already know this record, then you know that its origin story is as elusive as Pharoah was about everything Pharoah. It was born out of a misunderstanding between him and the India Navigation producer Bob Cummins, and was recorded when he was at a crossroads in his career with an unlikely crew. Among them was a guitarist who was also a spiritual guru, an organist who would go on to co-write and produce “The Message,” and a classically trained pianist—his wife at the time, Bedria Sanders—who played the harmonium despite never having seen one. At times ambient and serene, at others funky and modal, PHAROAH radically departed from his earlier work. And it became beloved.

Last fall, we were working with Pharoah on this project when he unexpectedly passed away. At first, it was hard to know what to do. We loved him, and the reason you do all of this is not solely for the music, but also for the person who made it. It’s their personality, their humor, and their wishes that drive you forward. So, we decided to go deep into the research. We set out to create something that showed Pharoah and his music in a new light.

For seasoned listeners and new acolytes both, Pharoah will never sound the same. — (via Label)

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Though constantly underrated as an artist, Pharoah Sanders’ 1977 release on India Navigation, is without question one of the tenor saxophonist’s most transcendental works. From his solo endeavours to his various collaborations with other jazz luminaries - Sanders’ belief in the concepts of karma and Tawhid (Islam's indivisible oneness concept of monotheism) became the true north of his elongated free jazz efforts.

Nowhere is that more apparent than the expansive 20-minute opener "Harvest Time", a spiritual jazz pilgrimage notably marked by the absence of drums - but beautifully layered by just the atmospheric guitar work of Tisziji Muñoz, the animated bass lead-lines by Steve Neil, the cascading harmonium work of Bedria (Sander’s wife at the time), and Sanders’ own spellbinding saxophone. Pharaoh also features a soulful 14-minute journey entitled “Love Will Find a Way”, and an enthralling closer called “Memories of Edith Johnson" that are just as artful and asymmetrical. — The Analog Vault

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Label: Luaka Bop
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition
Reissued: 2023 / Original Release: 1977
Genre: Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Modal

File under: Audiophile Jazz
File under: TAV Essential Listening
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