Karma (studio album) by Pharoah Sanders

A phenomenal jazz composition that is packed full of incredible moments to really get stuck into. The Creator Has A Master Plan is one of the greatest 30 minute jazz songs I have ever heard and it never becomes dull or repetitive and maintains your interest the whole time. This is due to the slow lulls you get that suddenly explode into these violent outbursts where the instrumentalists just let loose and demonstrate their quality on their instruments. Mix this with the chanting and the occasional lyrics we get and you really cannot get bored while this album is on. The energy and passion that fills this album is second to none and the performers really leave their heart and soul in the music. Leading the composition is Sanders himself on Tenor Sax where he puts in some beautiful displays and some of his solos are some of the best I have ever heard. He is then backed from some phenomenal performances on flute, piano, percussion, bass and several more. The first time I was listening to this album I got about 30 minutes into the first song and thought this is near perfection how is it not rated amongst the greatest of all time?! I then thought the second song can't be as strong and that drags it down and I got a minute into that song and thought I was right. Then the vocals kicked in and the momentum was picked back up and the quality of the record was resumed. You then get a fantastic closer to a record which leaves you feeling overjoyed with what you have just experienced. Overall, this is one of the best jazz displays in the history of music and the fact it is so low on this site and is never talked about is frankly a criminal offence as this piece of musical genius deserves to be heard by everyone.

From seb7 04/25/2021 17:08

Literally a perfect album

From seb7 04/14/2021 17:39

Easily the greatest jazz album of all time

I know I'm in the minority here, but for me it was the slower, calmer parts that I found phenomenal. Where madness kicks in and everything gets out of control, all this chaos is too much for me. Despite this, I can't help but notice how criminally underrated this is. I mean, not even top-20 of its year and not even top-700 of all time, come on.

First listen: one of my favourite free jazz albums already. I loved his work with Coltrane and thought I'd get into his stuff. The Creator Has A Master Plan is definitely one of those more tolerable 30+ minute jazz suites when compared to Free Jazz or Ascension and it's a lot like A Love Supreme I think which I love.

From JulianR 09/27/2017 04:02

Such a wonderful, gorgeous album. The fact that it is sitting somewhere below 800th right now is a travesty of the highest magnitude. On of the greatest of all time, and one that has vied for my person favorite at times.

95/100 (Superb)

From JoaoMoreira 06/14/2017 03:27

Beautiful record and conjunction of good vibrations, vanguard, spiritual and intensity.
Love Leon Thomas' voice!

From Fischman 01/16/2017 04:32

Unique and groundbreaking, this remains one few truly landmark jazz albums of its day, rightfully so. It's definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but for those it reaches, it's truly special.

Insane jazz album from the great Pharoah Sanders. Great musical journey.

The two opening minutes of this album are one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard