In what might be the most-anticipated album of the year, New York label Luaka Bop has released an absolute stunning new collaborative album, titled Promises, featuring legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, groundbreaking electronic producer Sam Shepard, also know as Floating Points, and one of the greatest symphonies in the world, in The London Symphony Orchestra.

This brilliant 46-plus minute recording, composed by Shepherd, is broken into nine movements, and is based on a motif that shifts every nine seconds. From subtle electronic soundscapes, and dynamic strings, to Pharoah’s saxophone solos, voice, breath and even the tapping of his saxophone’s keys, the piece is an interwoven sonic conversation that orbits through different musical movements and shapes. Even though the piece builds on beautiful layers of tension, there is real discipline of patience by the musicians to not move too quickly from one movement to the next. By the time you come to the conclusion, there is an emotional feeling of peace and spiritualism, like you have just been transported through multiple dimensions of time and space.

Even though I feel like this is a piece you’ll want to go back to often, I think for the listener, the first time experiencing the recording will be truly memorable. It’s the kind of recording that you’ll need to sit in silence for a moment after it concludes, and I mean this in the best way. The music over takes you, in a mediative calming and spiritual way that one could have felt while listening to previous recordings by Pharoah Sanders or Alice Coltrane.

The vinyl record release also features some great gatefold packaging, featuring a die-cut with amazing album artwork from contemporary visual artist Julie Mehretu.

Overall, Promises is an absolute masterpiece, a recording that I already feel comfortable saying will stand the test of time. The session is also another momentous milestone for Pharoah Sanders, whom is truly one of the greatest artists of our time and beyond.

Pharoah Sanders, Floating Points & The London Symphony Orchestra — ‘Promises’
(Luaka Bop)

1. Movement 1
2. Movement 2
3. Movement 3
4. Movement 4
5. Movement 5
6. Movement 6
7. Movement 7
8. Movement 8
9. Movement 9

BUY RECORD

• ELECTRONIC MUSIC
• Jazz
• Spiritual Jazz