I was first exposed to free jazz at a fairly young and formative age—right around the time I was just beginning to explore jazz in general. Credit where it’s due: one of my brothers coached me on how to truly listen to and appreciate John Coltrane’s 1966 landmark, Ascension. After several focused listens, I finally “got” it. That experience taught me that connecting with the heart and soul of this challenging music often takes time and patience. The good news is that when the music is genuinely compelling, it draws you back in naturally—each listen revealing a little more, and making the journey easier.
Such is the case with two rare albums recently reissued by these tenor saxophone giants—both of whom, incidentally, played on Coltrane’s Ascension. Released during Record Store Day earlier this year, these recordings demand and reward patience in equal measure. After numerous listens, both have started to reveal their depth and emotional weight. It felt like the right moment to dig in and give them the review attention they deserve.
Pharoah Sanders, Izipho Zam (My Gifts)
Pharoah Sanders’ 1977 release Izipho Zam (My Gifts) on the Strata-East label is a fascinating listen. Widely regarded as a landmark in the evolution of free jazz, it continues to grow on me—and that, my friends, is often half the battle with music this bold and exploratory.
The expansive 13-member ensemble features an impressive lineup, including Sonny Sharrock, Lonnie Liston Smith, Cecil McBee, and vocalist Leon Thomas. Thomas’ unmistakable voice is forever linked to Sanders’ legacy, especially through their collaboration on the transcendent “The Creator Has a Master Plan” from 1969’s Karma (Impulse! Records).
Izipho Zam was pressed at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) with fresh lacquers cut by mastering ace Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio—so rest assured, the sound quality is excellent. The 180-gram vinyl is presented in a high-quality, glossy tip-on gatefold jacket that feels every bit as premium as the music it contains. Rounding things out are new liner notes by Harmony Holiday and a selection of previously unreleased photographs. This is a fine reissue in every respect.
Where to buy: $34.99 at Amazon
Archie Shepp And The Full Moon Ensemble, The Complete Live in Antibes (LMLR)
I picked up Archie Shepp and The Full Moon Ensemble’s The Complete Live in Antibes on a whim, knowing almost nothing about the performance or the label behind it. I’ve long admired many of Shepp’s 1960s studio recordings and have always been fascinated by his fiery, unpredictable playing. Fun fact: Frank Zappa’s 1969 album Hot Rats was reportedly inspired by Shepp—specifically after Zappa heard a live recording of him (seriously, look it up!). Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me.
Unlike the Strata-East release above, this reissue takes a few shortcuts in quality. The standard-weight colored vinyl is relatively quiet, though my copy arrived with a slight warp. The packaging also feels a bit budget-minded, using a single-pocket sleeve to house both LPs. On the plus side, the full-color inner sleeves do a nice job of reproducing artwork from the original albums, and the producers faithfully recreated the classic BYG Records label from 1971. As for the sound, it’s ok for an archival live festival recording—but let’s be clear, this isn’t Kind of Blue, folks.
Other than that, much like the Sanders album above, this LP has proven to be a slow-burner that keeps pulling me back. The performance features just two extended pieces—Volume 1 devoted to “The Early Bird,” and the second disc centered around “Huru.” Interestingly, one of the elements drawing me deeper into the music is the punchy, incisive guitar work of Joseph Dejean, which slices through the sonic chaos with remarkable clarity. And of course, there’s Shepp himself—his saxophone playing here is nothing short of otherworldly.
At the time of this writing, Archie Shepp And The Full Moon Ensemble’s The Complete Live in Antibes was on sale at Amazon for $26.99, so for that price its is a low risk investment, and a good starter copy.
Where to buy: $26.99 at Amazon
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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