Pharoah Sanders – Izipho Zam (My Gifts)

Izipho Zam is the third album by American jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, recorded in 1969 but not released until 1973 by Strata-East Records. The album title means “my gifts” in Zulu, and reflects Sanders’ African and spiritual influences. The album features a large ensemble of musicians, including Sonny Fortune, Lonnie Liston Smith, Sonny Sharrock, Cecil McBee, Billy Hart, Leon Thomas, and others.

The album consists of three tracks, totaling 50 minutes of music. The songs are a mix of free jazz, avant-garde, and world music, with saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals, tuba, guitar, piano, and drums. The lyrics are mostly improvised chants and yodels by Sanders and Thomas. The album has a distinctive sound that is both chaotic and harmonious, creating a sense of spiritual ecstasy.

The album received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised its originality, creativity, and emotion. The album has an average score of 4.5 out of 5 on AllMusic. Pitchfork included the album in its list of “The 200 Best Albums of the 1960s” and called it “a transcendent work of spiritual jazz”.

The album received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised its originality, creativity, and emotion. The album has an average score of 87 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 25 reviews. Pitchfork called it “the most joyous, daring realization of her experimental tendencies yet”.