Pharoah Sanders' Finest

Between 1970 and 1995, tenor saxophone player Pharoah Sanders was recording for a number of different small independent jazz labels. One of those labels was Netherlands based, Timeless. He recorded three LPs for the label ,Africa, Moon Child and Welcome to Love. Now Dopeness Galore have compiled the highlights of these records on this solid eleven track compilation. On his Timeless debut Africa, Pharoah Sanders (1940), intended or not, makes a link to the past. Not only does he pay explicit tribute to his late mentor John Coltrane, he is also joined by pianist John Hicks, who was part of Sanders first ensemble in 1963. By that time Pharoah Sanders was living in New York, and was struggling to make a living, at times sleeping on the streets. It was joining Coltranes ensemble which brought Pharoah Sanders stability and wide acclaim. After Coltranes passing, Sanders continued to work with his wife, Alice. On Welcome to Love, playing a series of famous ballads, the thin, reserved approach is reminiscent of Coltrane. However, it is still marked with Pharoah's trademark sound.