Customer Reviews

Jewels of Thought

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

1969 was a banner year for Pharoah Sanders-- having already recorded two albums (although "Izipho Zam" would wait several years to see release) and having generated quite a buzz with "Karma" and the stunning "The Creator Has a Masterplan", Sanders was finally establishing himself as separate from John Coltrane-- indeed, with a mentor such as that, establishing your own identity must be extraordinarily difficult.

This was the framework into which Sanders entered the studio for the third time this year, together with vocalist Leon Thomas and pianist Lonnie Liston Smith, who were so crucial to the sound of the last two records, Sanders laid down the two performances that would make up "Jewels of Thought".

The first, "Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah-Hum Allah", previously recorded as "Prince of Peace", finds Sanders, Thomas and Smith joined by Cecil McBee on bass and drummers Roy Haynes and Idris Muhammed. The piece, based around a three-beat-one-rest percussion pattern and a dancing, swinging piano line opens with Sanders stating his theme beautifully before deferring to Thomas, who after a brief spoken introduction, sings beautifully in his resonant baritone the song (with a relatively traditional structure) before taking solo space on one of his yodels. Smith solos beautifully and delicately (although the dialog between Haynes and Muhammed steals the show) before Sanders returns for a fierce solo that manages to be both explosive and coherent.

"Sun in Aquarius" is something rather different-- Sanders, Smith and Thomas are again joined by McBee and Muhammad, but with a second bassist (Richard Davis) rather than a second drummer and everyone picking up percussion at one time or another. The piece begins with a drone before evaporating into an explosion of inside-the-piano playing and uncontrollable screeching from Sanders until it finally settles into a two-chord melody similar to 'Hum-Allah'. Sanders blows beautifully, stating theme and soloing around it, Thomas supports in yodel, and the whole thing is just downright fantastic.

It may not receive the recognition that "Karma" does, but "Jewels of Thought" is pretty much its equal. Highly recommended.

"Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah-Hum Allah" is one of my favourite songs. The tenor sax playing is very intense, and Leon Thomas' yodeling is a surprise to everyone who thought this couldn't be found outside of Switzerland. Some other African instruments (percussions and thumb piano) add colours, and "Sun of Aquarius" (especially the beginning) made me think of a place somewhere near Ouagadougou at night. The connection of piano and saxophone outbursts, African instruments and a little bit naive tunes make this album so interesting and intense.

I have finally got around to picking up all the Sanders Impulse reissues and this one was a real surprise. I enjoy almost all of his late 60's/early 70's output, but once one hears Karma, Thembi and Tauhid are not quite as enjoyable (though each have their moments). Karma instead gives you waves of gentle cacophony to float on that never becomes threatening nor feels rushed. Much to my surprise, this is just where Jewels of thought takes off from. The first track is essentially Karma part two, while the second track is also like Karma but with more excursions into those darker regions of purely abstract sound. The disc as a whole is extremely rewarding, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who felt the same dissatisfaction with Tauhid and Thembi (namely that they were not as amazing as Karma). What I feel Sanders is doing is making a new music that in some ways feels something like a raga in its extended form and returning motifs, yet melodically it belongs to Jazz, and it is far more innate than any raga. These two pieces are dense in exotic instrumentation, giving the music an international feel, while in truth it is purely Sander's music.

When I hear Hum Allah, I am always reminded of the Creator. This is the best song of praise to Allah I have ever heard. Technically, music is haram in Islam but I know that Allah smiles when He hears this song. Alhamdullilah!

An album I first heard on KBCA, 105.1 FM back in the mid 1960's. "Hum-Allah" was played only though. Doesn't get any play now. Both songs are excellent, vintage collaberations between Sanders and Thomas. "Hum-Allah" makes you think with the lyrics and encourages you to keep time. Similar to Thomas' song, "The Creator Has A Master Plan". Easy to memorize and play back in your mind over and over for needed inspiration. "Sun in Aquarius" starts with a long intro, about 11 minutes, then breaks into a melodic duel between Thomas and Sanders then reaches new levels of harmony then back to a melodic tone. Never heard this song on the radio, probably never will. Thomas is wonderful with his fill in vocal rifts, or yodels.

I first came to Pharoah Sanders through his Coltrane work, some of the most potent avant gaurde jazz I ever hear (check out his solos on Accension and Live In Seattle. I expected to be blown out of my chair when I began investigating is post-Trane Impulse materal.

Well, I was not, but I was pleasently suprised. This work is based on very melodic panio riffs. Sanders solos, sometimes in and sometimes out, of the chord base. All and all, though, this work is beutiful, shimmering jazz. There is a singer and lots of nice, extra percussion, such as bells and shakers.

It is almost a hybrid of straight ahead jazz and African music, but the playing and little sounds intserted make it dynamic and extremely tuneful. I abolutely recommened this, no matter what kind of jazz you like.

Were every college graduate in America expected to absorb a canon of 100 songs required to consider oneself educated, I'd nominate Hum Allah, side one of Pharoah Sanders' Jewels of Thought. An expansive consideration of human existence framed by a simple 1-2-3 rhythm, the experience of hearing Hum Allah adds years to any life, and depth to every present moment. Including the characteristic yodel of Leon Thomas and a swirling mix of African percussion, Hum Allah is a contribution to world music too. Only the slightly manic tenor and length of side two, Sun In Aquarius, prevents the entire disk from reaching 5-star status. Pharoah Sanders is a giant of American music, the saxophone equivalent of Levon Helm or Charles Bukowski. Listen to Hum Allah and understand why.

Pharoah Sanders is a wonderfully gifted saxophonist and a man doubly gifted with one of the most powerful voices of the twentieth century in any genre of music. In this album he demonstrates both of these sublime talents in two diverse tracks. Hum-allah is essentially a piece with the feel of sunrise. Beginning with simple clapping and a basic piano riff, layers of percussion and woodwind are slowly intertwined with the simple riff and a delightful tune emerges. The effect is transcendental and is an extremely heatwarming and humane piece, especially when Pharoah begins to sing. Sun in Aquarius is more of a piece for sunset and is a mystical amalgamation of layered percussion and 'free' playing. This is a powerful piece that is hard to take in at first, but with several listenings, one becomes accustomed to its evokations of spirits and nightly creatures. This ends in a tone more similar to the hum-allah. The result is a masterpiece of an album that you will never tire of.

Pharoah is just wonderful. This album will take you on a trip

A fantastic album which has a few weaker spots, but when Pharoah's Tenor bursts out on SUN watch out!