高品質なアナログ盤制作を行うMusic On Vinylから巨人ファラオ・サンダース「Africa」がリリース。全8曲の内5曲でオリジナルを聴かせつつ、コルトレーンの"Naima"で師匠へのトリビュートを、スタンダード曲"Speak Low"と演奏技術が試されるスモーキーなスローナンバー "Heart To Heart "を収めた選曲も良い1作。ドラムスにイドリス・ムハンマド、ピアノにジョン・ヒックスという名手の演奏もさることながら、1曲目のド頭からいきなり100%で吹き出すファラオに痺れまくってください!最高!
Bass - Curtis Lundy
Drums - Idris Muhammed
Piano - John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone - Pharoah Sanders
発売・販売元 提供資料(2023/02/24)
As Kevin Whitehead's liner notes to this release reflect, Sanders "pays explicit tribute to his late mentor John Coltrane -- as this set's Coltrane-oriented sound makes unashamedly clear." Actually, Coltrane penned only one of the eight tunes, while Sanders wrote six, but the spirit of the master looms heavily throughout. Sanders displays an uncanny resemblance to Trane's unique way of over-blowing and his special ability to get inside a ballad. Pianist John Hicks is in perfect form and contributes mightily to the success of the session. 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. ~ Steven Loewy
Rovi