This album features Pharoah Sanders playing some no-nonsense tenor in a quartet with pianist John Hicks, bassist Walter Booker, and drummer Idris Muhammad. Sanders performs “It’s Easy to Remember” (in a style very reminiscent of early-‘60s John Coltrane), an original blues, and two of his compositions, including the passionate "You’ve Got to Have Freedom." The musicianship is at a high level and, although Sanders does not shriek as much as one might hope (the Trane-ish influence was particularly strong during this relatively mellow period), he is in fine form… Review by Scott Yanow/AMG
Beware! This is hot stuff! Wear asbestos clothing while listening. Four world-class musicians at the very pinnacle of their art relating closely to one another in the vortex of a cyclone of jazz music. They’re all burning, but listen particularly to John Hicks (R.I.P Mr. Hicks) on “DOKTOR PITT.” Is he not the best thing to happen to the keyboard since McCoy Tyner? And when I state John Hicks was burning, if you’ve ever had the opportunity to view the video of this performance (maybe still on YouTube) recorded at the Great American Music Hall in 1981, you’ll see Mr. Hicks melting with perspiration. That’s cookin’ brother… review by James S. Grogan
Personnel: Pharoah Sanders, tenor saxophone / John Hicks, piano / Walter Booker, bass/ Idris Muhammad, drums
Producer – Pharoah Sanders
Producer [Assistant] – Allen Pittman & Paul Arslanian
Recorded at The Maiden Voyage, Los Angeles and The Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa cruz, California.
Recording & Mixing Engineer – Mark Needham
