Pharoah Sanders – Tauhid

immense care was put into this gatefold cover... the quality is pristine, and immaculately holds up for a 50 year old record. a quality pressing of one of the most revered and respected artists in jazz; this body of work is one of his lesser known and is to be heard front to back with attentive ears and an open heart. aum

Non-gatefold sleeve you... can't get it here anyway so informational only if you're curious about picking it up somewhere else...

Solid 4/5 on sound. Rich and voluminous.
The cover could be better.

Wow, this was an incredible debut from Pharaoh. Recorded in '66, highly inspired by a Coltrane performance, the band is locked and next level.

Side A is a brilliant journey through Egypt, physically and spiritually. Each musician contributes to painting a tone poem here.
Side B includes an impression of Japan as well as some fine free pieces. If you like a little altissimo and screaming effects from Pharaoh, he delivers a nice little duo with Sonny Sharrock. This release was ahead of its time, no question.

This first pressing is super clean with all the detail and dynamics you want to hear. Stereo recording with a lovely soundstage and thoughtful placement of the percussion.

5 stars

I bought this pressing for $18.50 on ebay in 2013

I own this mono pressing, the ‘67 RVG stereo and a late 60’s stereo repress of this LP and the mono blows the rest of them out of the water. Worth waiting for when these come up for sale.

it's a shame that they didn't use the gatefold cover

No surface noise on my copy, but sound is a bit murky. I have never heard an original pressing, but I have read reviews that say the original was a bit murky as well (although this is unusual for Impulse records from this era). It sounds like an analog source, but possibly a needle drop, as another reviewer has suggested. Overall, my experience is better than some detailed below, but I'd love to hear an original for comparison sake. Not a terrible listen, but I'm still debating whether I want to keep it or not.

One of Sanders' earlier albums. I got into his music with the later 'Karma' and 'Summun'. This one is a few years earlier but stills has his signature "cries of agony" sounds at points. I enjoyed this one quite a bit, even if he is still finding his footing as an artist. That liminal border between nature and music is ever-present on the first side, and even informs the out-there attitudes of later punk music. Overall, not as polished or structured as the other two albums I mentioned earlier, but a damn fine one regardless!

Stellar sound!!! Flat and quiet pressing. Not to mych to say about the music.. Pharoah sailing to his vast repertoir..