Pharoah Sanders' seminal album, Black Unity, is a masterpiece of free jazz that has stood the test of time. Originally recorded and released in 1971, this iconic album consists of a single, thirty-seven-minute track that is an exercise in sustained harmonic groove. Critic Joe S. Harrington has aptly described it as "an exercise in sustained harmonic groove that cannot be beaten", ranking it at #38 on his Top 100 Albums.
Produced by Lee Young, Black Unity is a testament to Pharoah Sanders' innovative and intellectually challenging approach to music, which has been widely regarded as some of the most socially profound of the post-Coltrane era. The album's re-release in 1997, remastered and reissued on CD, introduced this groundbreaking work to a new generation of fans.
Black Unity is often cited alongside Sanders' other masterpiece, Karma, as one of the pinnacle achievements of his illustrious career. Enthusiasts of Pharoah Sanders' work have long revered this album, with one aficionado noting that it contains "some of the best, most transcendental moments of any Pharoah Sanders record". With its release on various formats, including vinyl and CD, Black Unity remains an essential listening experience for anyone interested in exploring the boundaries of free jazz and the visionary work of Pharoah Sanders.
Vinylscout
