Pharoah Sanders is a figure that is hard to get a hold on. Best known for his work with John Coltrane in the last years of that legend s life, Sanders was one of the first to make sounds that were so antagonistic, so angry, and so against the grain of what audiences, critics, and many musicians thought music was supposed to be that the remains scorned by many over 30 years later. Anybody who recognizes that there can be great beauty in portraying the not so pleasant aspects of life will find their way to Sanders music sooner or later with sooner being far more likely than later- but the random selection of a disc bearing his name might bear surprises. Like most true artists, Sanders has not always produced the expected. His solo recordings have included forays into straight bebop, world beat and even smooth jazz.
Sanders best known work is probably the hypnotic Karma .
The 1969 recording has plenty of soul and easy to gently sway to. His bebop recordings have generally been decent although not exceptional but his world beat recordings have left much to be desired. Save our Children is a particularly telling example. The music is far too unfocused to be pop but far too unimaginative to be good jazz. It stands at this unfortunate crossroads as something that might sound good in theory but not to the ears.