Pharoah Sanders – Izipho Zam (CD)
Product Details
Recorded in the immediate wake of John Coltrane's death, *Izipho Zam* captured Sanders channeling grief and spiritual searching into some of the most intense, expansive playing of his career. The Strata-East label was itself a statement, a musician-owned collective dedicated to keeping avant-garde and spiritual jazz outside the commercial mainstream. Hearing this finally on CD, more than five decades after those 1969 sessions, feels like a long-overdue act of preservation.
Pharoah Sanders' Izipho Zam (My Gifts) is a groundbreaking jazz masterpiece. Recorded in 1969, two years after John Coltrane's passing, and released in 1973 on Strata-East, the album features a 13-member ensemble, including Sonny Sharrock, Lonnie Liston Smith, Cecil McBee, and Leon Thomas. Blending Eastern influences with expansive jazz, Sanders’ genius is highlighted with "Prince of Peace," showcasing Thomas' unique vocals, and the 28-minute title track, offering an exploration of dissonance and harmony with West African percussion and meditative chants.
For the first time ever, this seminal work from a legendary saxophonist will be available on CD and digital platforms, as well as on 180-gram vinyl. Pressed at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, the vinyl edition comes in high-quality, glossy tip-on gatefold jackets. It also includes new liner notes by Harmony Holiday and never-before-seen photos, making this release a must-have for jazz enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Tracklist
UPC: 673203501126
Label: Mack Avenue Records
Release Date: 4.25.25
Format: CD