[KitchenSink]

conflicted about this one. obviously as everyone has pointed out this is extremely Pharoah Sanders inspired, which, in almost any case I can think of, is a good thing to be, but I almost feel like this takes it so far as to feel like just a less inspired, less engaging, and just generally less good Pharoah Sanders. Perhaps I need a couple more listens but for the time being I'm hearing very little here that carves out a unique identity beyond (admittedly extremely competent) idol worship. but, the critic doth protest too much or however that phrase goes because like you could pick a worse artist to emulate from head to toe than Pharoah Sanders lol, and tbph he's not the only influence here, and when they do branch out and draw on other Sanders-era contemporaries (Alice Coltrane in particular) I feel like things start to get a bit more interesting. I think a central issue I have might have something to with how restrained this compared to its influences, everything is very tight and precise but moments that evoke Pharoah & friends on an emotional level rather than a purely textual one are too few and far between for me. I may very well be missing something on listen #1, but as of now, while I did enjoy this, I'm struggling to enjoy it as much as I'd like to due to it never holding up to it's influences that it might just be influenced by a little too closely... eh I'll revisit this and return to the thread at some point, I feel like there's gotta be more here than just Pharoah Sanders fan fiction that I missed the first time around 🤣
_________________
A Variety of Artists