Pharoah Sanders’ third Lp ‚Karma‘, on Impulse of course, the label ‘that Trane built’, is in many ways a real milestone in the history of modern jazz. The half-hour main composition ‘The creator has a masterplan’ combines free improvisation and fierce free jazz outbursts with quiet, fragile phases, is, in my opinion, ideally suited as an introduction to more free musical forms, even for the inexperienced listener.

‘A Love Supreme’ from John Coltrane resonates, as a clearly recognizable quote in the melody, but also in the underlying spiritual mood. The voice here, however, is more than just supporting regalia, but is rather used by vocalist Leon Thomas as an additional instrument, a counterpart to the supremely expressive saxophone of Mr. Sanders.

The love & peace elements, Mr. Sanders in yoga position on the cover, all this of course fit perfectly into the zeitgeist, building a bridge from intellectual spirituality in jazz into hippie culture in 1969. But when I listen to the recording, for me the journey goes a little further into the past: I see a strong conceptual connection to the beginnings of Giorgio de Chirico’s metaphysical paintings when attempts were made to get to the bottom of the magic of things and of the world itself. With this monumental music, with Mr. Sanders and his ensemble, it works just as well. Listen and be impressed yourself!

Stefan Mohr