Customer Reviews

Love Will Find a Way

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

 

 

In one of the great "what the heck happened" moments, free jazz legend Pharoah Sanders took a bizarre detour in the late '70s to smokey r&b-- "The Quiet Storm". It had been quite a while since he recorded at the time this was released, and no doubt that usual accusations of commercial sellout were distributed. As is often the case, the truth is somewhere in between.

Sanders' playing, like Albert Ayler's nearly a decade before, is actually far more remarkably suited for this sort of playing that anyone would guess-- his gentle, delicate soprano blends nicely with soft synths and his tenor playing can be expressive and warm or fierce to fit the mood of a given piece. Along the way, his former drummer who now was emerging as a vocalist, Norman Connors and Phyllis Hyman contribute vocals to several tracks.

The result is pretty mixed-- sometimes the magic of Pharoah Sanders' playing surfaces ("Pharomba"), but by and large, the pieces are pretty much sweet r&b and it seems at times that once it starts cooking, the vocals grow increasingly at odds with the leader's work ("Love is Here"). And certainly at least one song drifts way deep into pop and r&b ("Answer Me My Love", "Got to Give It Up") and doesn't fit Sanders at all. Still, he proves surprisingly sensitive ("Love Will Find a Way") and passionate ("Everything I Have is Good") at times, and sinks well into the groove the music calls for. And certainly "Pharomba" sits comfortably alongside anything Sanders has done.

It's not a bad record, and certainly Sanders' playing is every bit as passionate and fiery as on the early material, but in the end, it is a detour, both for the artist and the listener. I find it fairly pleasant listen, but keep in mind I love Ayler's "New Grass", and it doesn't particularly bother me when musicians try new things. If you're curious, try it out, but be warned-- it's likely not what you expect.

... than this admittedly softer, more radio-friendly incarnation of Pharoah. But like fellow saxophonist Gato Barbieri, the Little Rock native's sound ( and compositional approach) remains intact-occasionally sappy trappings notwithstanding... Like middle age, this date has grown on me.

Pharoah Sanders relinquishes his centrism on this WONDERFUL PROJECT and allowed Phyllis Hyman to SOAR and SHINE FLAWLESSLY!! I saw them perform these songs "LIVE" at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in the late 1970's. Phyllis kicked off her shoes and the REST IS HISTORY!! LOVE IS HERE; AS YOU ARE; Some of Phyllis' Best Work!

In one of the great "what the heck happened" moments, free jazz legend Pharoah Sanders took a bizarre detour in the late '70s to smokey r&b-- "The Quiet Storm". It had been quite a while since he recorded at the time this was released, and no doubt that usual accusations of commercial sellout were distributed. As is often the case, the truth is somewhere in between.

Sanders' playing, like Albert Ayler's nearly a decade before, is actually far more remarkably suited for this sort of playing that anyone would guess-- his gentle, delicate soprano blends nicely with soft synths and his tenor playing can be expressive and warm or fierce to fit the mood of a given piece. Along the way, his former drummer who now was emerging as a vocalist, Norman Connors and Phyllis Hyman contribute vocals to several tracks.

The result is pretty mixed-- sometimes the magic of Pharoah Sanders' playing surfaces ("Pharomba"), but by and large, the pieces are pretty much sweet r&b and it seems at times that once it starts cooking, the vocals grow increasingly at odds with the leader's work ("Love is Here"). And certainly at least one song drifts way deep into pop and r&b ("Answer Me My Love", "Got to Give It Up") and doesn't fit Sanders at all. Still, he proves surprisingly sensitive ("Love Will Find a Way") and passionate ("Everything I Have is Good") at times, and sinks well into the groove the music calls for. And certainly "Pharomba" sits comfortably alongside anything Sanders has done.

It's not a bad record, and certainly Sanders' playing is every bit as passionate and fiery as on the early material, but in the end, it is a detour, both for the artist and the listener. I find it fairly pleasant listen, but keep in mind I love Ayler's "New Grass", and it doesn't particularly bother me when musicians try new things. If you're curious, try it out, but be warned-- it's likely not what you expect.

I have been waiting for a CD of this since vinyl became obsolete. I have loved this for many years reason: Pharoah Sanders's sax, Norman Connors production and the immortal vocals from the late Phyllis Hyman. The song "As you are" is probably in my opinion her best vocals and she has had many. Some critics complained about the album being too commercial considering his background but I saw it as a transition while maintaining his artistic vision. Thank you for making me a very happy man with this purchase. The delivery was extremely fast. I recommend this seller.

In 1979 this demo was givin to me,
to this day I thank the person who gave it to me.
This is the only r&b Pharoah sanders ever did.
1,Love will find a way
2,Love is here
3,As you are
4,Answer Me My Love
5,Everything I Have Is Good
If your looking for good music you can not go wrong.

Love Will Find A Way by Pharoah Sanders is an excellent jazz CD. I remember owning it as a young Air Force veteran. Over the years, the Album sort of disappeared and I have always had in the back of my mind to repurchase it if the opportunity should ever arise . Well, it did thru Amazon.com. I am happy to be a member

LOVE WILL FIND A WAY is a major divergence in Pharoah Sanders career, and mighty controversial for it. From the production to the song choices, from the arrangements to the vocals; this album seems one of the least befitting of any album in the Sanders catalog. In fact, production, arrangement, vocals and song choices seem to all be Norman Connors doings. Sadly LOVE WILL FIND A WAY, might best be described as a Norman Connors album that Pharoah Sanders happens to play on! Of any tune here, only "Pharomba" seems to have escaped unscathed. Admittedly the party groove of the Marvin Gaye cover is rather nice, though a most unlikely selection for Sanders. While only "Answer Me My Love" (which effectively balances the schmaltz and Funk themes), and "Everything I Have Is Good" (which finally breaks free of the cheese and gets into a groove about half-way through) are worth mentioning of the remainder. Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers both covered this territory more succesfully. When they find a spot for him to play it's nice, but overall; one of the least satisfying Pharoah Sanders releases of all time.