Africa is an album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1987 and released on the Dutch Timeless label.[1]
| Africa | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Recorded | March 11, 1987 | |||
| Studio | Studio 44, Monster, Netherlands | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 56:59 | |||
| Label | Timeless SJP 253 | |||
| Producer | Wim Wigt | |||
| Pharoah Sanders chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [3] |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | A−[4] |
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".[2]
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."[3]
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."[5]
Track listing edit
All compositions by Pharoah Sanders except as indicated
- "You've Got to Have Freedom" – 10:01
- "Naima" (John Coltrane) – 5:26
- "Origin" – 6:50
- "Speak Low" (Kurt Weill, Ogden Nash) – 8:04
- "After The Morning" (John Hicks) – 6:29
- "Africa" – 8:20
- "Heart to Heart" – 7:17 Bonus track on CD & Music On Vinyl reissue[6]
- "Duo" – 4:32 Bonus track on CD & Music On Vinyl reissue[6]
Personnel edit
References edit
- ^ Pharoah Sanders discography accessed January 15, 2015
- ^ a b Loewy, Steve. Africa – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (1998). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. Penguin Books. p. 1333.
- ^ Hull, Tom. "John Hicks". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Fripp, Matt (September 2, 2022). "Ten Iconic Pharoah Sanders Albums". Jazz Fuel. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Pharoah Sanders, John Hicks, Curtis Lundy & Idris Muhammad - Africa (2LP)". Funky Duck Vinyl. Retrieved 11 March 2023.