In the late summer of 2020 this masterpiece by Pharoah Sanders found its way into my modest collection. The second recording as a leader shows Mr. Sanders and his All-Star-Spiritual-Jazz Band in top form: Very free highly inspired music, which even in 1973, although recorded in 1969, must have seemed amazingly new and fresh.

Mr. Sanders has never bothered about a purist interpretation of the Jazz idea, always integrating influences from outside into his music.

So, the melody of ‘Prince of Peace’ was in my ear long before I even knew who Mr. Sanders was: as the hookline of a very pop Acid Jazz piece by Galliano, released on Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud label in the early 90s.

Also, a really great track – but the inspiration for it has more supernatural power and strength, like the whole album, which is of course on Strata-East.

Stefan Mohr