Thembi [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Pharoah Sanders

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 10, 1998)
• Original Release Date: November 25, 1970
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B0000065KL
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #62,090 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A master at work, powerful, beautiful, uplifting!, August 15, 2002

By	rasoul acheh (Coral Springs, Fl) - See all my reviews

As an exponent of the "New Thing" jazz of the late '60's and early '70's Pharoah Sanders is one of the true masters of this genre. A one time collaborator of the late great saxophonist, John Coltrane, Pharoah has proven to this day, to be one of the most powerfully creative voices in Jazz. His music emanates from a deeply spiritual premise, but consistantly delivers a profoundly uplifting experience. If you are not familiar with his work, this album is a great intro, to a true soprano and tenor saxophone giant at the height of one his most creative periods. The personnel on this cd, include Lonnie Liston Smith on piano, Cecil Mcbee on bass, Michael White on violin and Clifford Jarvis on drums. This was without a doubt, Pharoah's greatest group. Their music is not only profoundly thought provoking, but full of rythmic power and sheer virtuosity on all instruments. This group has something to say and they say it with great conviction and beauty. This album, Thembi, is named after Pharoah's wife at the time, and is an exquisite testament to "Hope, Faith and Love".
I highly recommend this cd!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of his best from the early 1970s, November 14, 2001

By	A. Benjamin (Goodwell, OK United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like a lot of his work at the time, Thembi alternates between serenity and fury. "Astral Traveling" is a Lonnie Liston Smith piece in which Smith's electric piano contributes to the peaceful mood over which Pharoah plays some beautiful sax melodies. Michael White on violin creates sounds that seem like bird calls. The following track ("Red, Black, & Green") is a freewheeling jam in which Sanders and crew make a joyous noise. The title track is an easy-going uptempo tune. "Love" follows -- giving Cecil McBee to provide an extended solo meditation on bowed bass. "Morning Prayer" follows, exploring the theme set out on the title track, this time adding a crew of African percussionists (including Chief Bey). That piece merges into the final piece ("Bailophone Dance"), on which nearly everyone plays percussion as Pharoah provides some of his trademark sax fury. A must for fans of post-Coltrane free jazz.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love love love, December 10, 2002

By	gone daddy gone - See all my reviews

This record is a true work of love, and a very easy work to fall in love with. There is so much beauty here, moments of tension and relaxation. But above all it must be pointed out that Cecil McBee's bass solo, the track called "love" is simply put, the greatest thing I have ever heard performed on the instrument. The first half is arabic, playing what sound very much like Yemeni Oud scales on a standup bass! Incredible! Then he busts out his bow, and starts modulating these harmonics up and down the neck, similar to George Crumb, sounding like a cello being played through a flanger. This solo alone is worth getting the disk for, but it just so happens that the rest of the music is also of the highest quality.