Pharoah Sanders' Roots Belonged in Africa?

The second of Sanders' African-inspired albums recorded with producer, Bill Laswell.

A number of labels have been applied to the music of the late Pharoah Sanders, including astral jazz, cosmic jazz and spiritual jazz. Take your pick. The music remains the same.

As noted in a post from last week, African culture and music often served as inspiration and influence for Sanders. In 1994, he traveled to Africa to record an album with Moroccan traditional musicians. Musician Bill Laswell served as producer.

Two years later Laswell played the same role for Sanders' album, Message From Home. Once again, he looked to Africa for inspiration, working with musicians from Senegal and Gambia, among others.

It's worth a listen or three, but of the six longish songs on the album, its "Kumba" that stands out for me, in spite of the fact that Sanders sax is not much in evidence. Listen to it below.

The second song - “Nigerian Juju Highlife” - is from Sanders' 1981 album, Rejoice.

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