Art Davis Quartet - Life (1986)

Bassist Art Davis, who occasionally played with John Coltrane in the early '60s, has led relatively few sessions throughout his career. A very talented player with complete control over his instrument, Davis contributed all four selections to this impressive outing which is highlighted by "Duo" (matching his bass with tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders) and the 19-and-a-half-minute four-part "Add." Davis' all-star quartet also includes pianist John Hicks and drummer Idris Muhammad.

by Scott Yanow in All Music Guide

Styles:
Hard-Bop
Post-Bop

Tracks:
01 - Life (10:32)
02 - Duo (03:26)
03 - Blues for Comcertpie E for Bass (07:12)
04 - Add (19:25)

Line-up:
Art Davis - Bass
Pharoah Sanders - tenor saxophone
John Hicks - Piano
Idris Muhammad - Drums

Pharoah Sanders - Live... (1981)

This album features Pharoah Sanders playing some no-nonsense tenor in a quartet with pianist John Hicks, bassist Walter Booker, and drummer Idris Muhammad. Sanders performs "It's Easy to Remember" (in a style very reminiscent of early-'60s John Coltrane), an original blues, and two of his compositions, including the passionate "You've Got to Have Freedom." The musicianship is at a high level and, although Sanders does not shriek as much as one might hope (the Trane-ish influence was particularly strong during this relatively mellow period), he is in fine form.

by Scott Yanow in All Music Guide

Styles:
Progressive Jazz
Post-Bop

Tracks:
01 - You've Got to Have Freedom (14:17)
02 - It's Easy to Remember (06:51)
03 - Blues For Santa Cruz (08:39)
04 - Pharomba (13:26)
05 - Doktor Pitt (21:34)

Line-up:
Pharoah Sanders - Tenor sax
John Hicks - Piano
Walter Booker - Bass
Idris Muhammad - Drums

Pharoah Sanders - Doktor Pitt (Live in San Francisco, 1981)

Line-up:
Pharoah Sanders - tenor sax
John Hicks - Piano
Walter Booker - Bass
Idris Muhammad - Drums

Pharoah Sanders - Journey to the One (1980)

Formerly a Theresa double LP, this single CD contains all ten of Pharoah Sanders's performances from the sessions. As usual, Sanders shifts between spiritual peace and violent outbursts in his tenor solos. The backup group changes from track to track but often includes pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Idris Muhammad. Sanders really recalls his former boss John Coltrane on "After the Rain" (taken as a duet with pianist Joe Bonner) and a romantic "Easy to Remember"; other highpoints include "You've Got to Have Freedom" (which has Bobby McFerrin as one of the background singers) and the exotic "Kazuko" on which Sanders is accompanied by kato, harmonium and wind chimes.

by Scott Yanow at All Music Guide.

Style:
Mainstream Jazz

Tracks:
01 Greetings to Idris
02 Doktor Pitt
03 Kazuko (Peace Child)
04 After the Rain
05 Soledad
06 You've Got to Have Freedom
07 Yemenja
08 It's Easy to Remember
09 Think About the One
10 Bedria

Line-up:
Pharoah Sanders - tenor saxophone
Joe Bonner - piano
John Hicks - piano
Ray Drummond - bass
Yoko Ito Gates - koto
Eddie Henderson - flugelhorn
Idris Muhammad - drums

Pharoah Sanders - Africa (1987)

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.
by Steven Loewy at All Music Guide.

Styles:
Progressive Jazz
Modal Music
Post-Bop

Tracks:
01 You've Got to Have Freedom
02 Naima
03 Origin
04 Speak Low
05 After the Morning
06 Africa
07 Heart to Heart
08 Duo

Line-up:
Pharoah Sanders - tenor saxophone
John Hicks - piano
Curtis Lundy - bass
Idris Muhammad - drums