Izipho Zam (My Gifts)

1973 studio album by Pharoah Sanders

Izipho Zam (My Gifts)

Studio album by

Pharoah Sanders

Released| 1973
Recorded| January 14, 1969
Studio| TownSound Studios, Englewood, NJ
Genre| Jazz
Length| 50:23
Label| Strata-East SES-19733
Producer| Clifford Jordan
Pharoah Sanders chronology
| Wisdom Through Music
(1973)  | Izipho Zam (My Gifts)
(1973)  | Village of the Pharoahs
(1973)

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Izipho Zam (My Gifts) is the third album led by American saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. The album was recorded in 1969 but not released on the Strata-East label until 1973.[1] It features Sanders with a large ensemble.

## Reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz| [3]

In his review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek wrote that "Izipho Zam is a wonderful recording, full of the depth of vision and heartfelt soul that has informed every recording of Sanders since," and called it "an exhilarating, indispensable out jazz experience".[2] Marcus J. Moore, writing for the New York Times, included the album in his list of "15 Essential Black Liberation Jazz Tracks" and wrote that the title track is "a sprawling 28-minute collage of West African percussion, meditative chants and Mr. Sanders's screeching saxophone. Around the 15-minute mark, the arrangement settles into a hypnotic drum break that still sounds incredibly fresh and modern, 47 years after its release."[4]

Mark Jones of UK Vibe wrote that Izipho Zam "brings together a stellar group of musicians" for "a sonic exploration featuring three compositions by Pharoah Sanders spread over 50 minutes with a free-flowing avant-garde perspective," and called the album "a tour de force... which epitomises the ensemble's collective spirit and understanding for the overall message that Pharaoh Sanders was wishing to convey."[5] Chris May included the album in his list "An introduction to Strata-East in 10 records", calling it "a transitional album, between the unrelenting ferocity of Sanders's work with John Coltrane and the more blissed-out albums he went to make with [Lonnie Liston] Smith, [Leon] Thomas and Alice Coltrane."[6] Andy Thomas, writing for the Red Bull Music Academy, included the album in his article "A Guide to Strata-East", declaring that "The spiritual intensity of Izipho Zam almost lifts you off your feet," and calling the title track "one of Sanders' deepest journeys to the east".[7]

## Track listing

[edit]

All compositions by Pharoah Sanders

1. "Prince of Peace" – 8:44
2. "Balance" – 12:15
3. "Izipho Zam" – 28:50

## Personnel

[edit]

* Pharoah Sanders – tenor saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals
* Howard Johnson – tuba
* Sonny Fortune – alto saxophone, flute
* Lonnie Liston Smith – piano
* Sonny Sharrock – guitar
* Sirone (Norris Jones), Cecil McBee – bass
* Billy Hart – drums
* Chief Bey – African drums
* Nat Bettis, Tony Wiles – percussion
* Leon Thomas – percussion, vocals

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Pharoah Sanders discography accessed January 12, 2015
2. ^ a b Jurek, Thom. Izipho Zam (My Gifts) – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
3. ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2006). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Penguin Books. p. 1150.
4. ^ Moore, Marcus J. (June 17, 2020). "15 Essential Black Liberation Jazz Tracks". New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
5. ^ Jones, Mark (October 2, 2019). "Pharoah Sanders "Izipho Zam (My Gifts)"". UK Vibe. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
6. ^ May, Chris (May 28, 2018). "An introduction to Strata-East in 10 records". Vinyl Factory. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
7. ^ Thomas, Andy (June 11, 2014). "A Guide to Strata-East". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved October 19, 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Pharoah Sanders

Albums|

* Pharoah's First (1964)
* Tauhid (1967)
* Izipho Zam (My Gifts) (1969)
* Karma (1969)
* Jewels of Thought (1969)
* Deaf Dumb Blind (Summun Bukmun Umyun) (1970)
* Thembi (1970–71)
* Black Unity (1971)
* Wisdom Through Music (1972)
* Village of the Pharoahs (1971–73)
* Love in Us All (1972–73)
* Pharoah (1976)
* Journey to the One (1979)
* Rejoice (1981)
* Shukuru (1985)
* Africa (1987)
* Oh Lord, Let Me Do No Wrong (1987)
* A Prayer Before Dawn (1987)
* Moon Child (1989)
* Welcome to Love (1990)
* Crescent with Love (1992)
* Message from Home (1996)
* Save Our Children (1997)
* With a Heartbeat (2003)
* Promises (2021)

Live albums|

* Live at the East (1972)
* Elevation (1973)
* Beyond a Dream (1978)
* Pharoah Sanders Live... (1981)
* Heart Is a Melody (1982)
* Spirits (1998)
* The Creator Has a Master Plan (2003)
* Live in Paris (1975)
* Live At Fabrik Hamburg 1980

With John Coltrane|

* Ascension (1965)
* Live In Seattle (1965)
* Om (1965)
* A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle (1965)
* Kulu Sé Mama (Impulse!, 1965)
* Selflessness: Featuring My Favorite Things (1965)
* Meditations (1965)
* Live at the Village Vanguard Again! (1966)
* Live In Japan (1966)
* Offering: Live at Temple University (1966)
* Expression (1967)
* The Olatunji Concert: The Last Live Recording (1967)
* Infinity (1972)

With Alice Coltrane|

* Cosmic Music (1968)
* A Monastic Trio (1968)
* Ptah, the El Daoud (1970)
* Journey in Satchidananda (1970)
* Carnegie Hall '71 (2018)
* The Carnegie Hall Concert (2024)

Compilations|

* Ballads with Love (1992)
* In the Beginning 1963–1964

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

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