Pharoah Sanders – Love in Us All

Pharoah Sanders’ final album for Impulse! is a joyous message of love for all times. “Love is Everywhere” begins with a gorgeous bass vamp followed by steadily cascading percussion and piano that immediately set the mood for the entire length of the near 20-minute long piece. “To John” celebrates Sanders’ mentor, the late John Coltrane, with a powerful free jazz number that pushes the tenor saxophone to its furthest limits. The two sides hardly feel like they belong on the same record but they make sense presented as two sides of Sanders’ musical identity, though his later pursuits would be much closer to the soulful sound of “Love is Everywhere.” Sanders is supported here by an all-star cast of musicians including two future R&B giants Norman Connors (drums) and James Mtume (percussion). It’s one of our favorite records and one that feels much-needed as we head into a dangerous election where many seem to need to be reminded of Love In Us All…

– Phil Cho

Recommended – Full Listen