Pharoah Sanders - Welcome to Love (1991)

When this was first released, the slow, straight sounds of Pharoah Sanders on a series of mostly famous ballads came as a bit of a surprise to some. Others saw Sanders as following the road of his mentor, John Coltrane, who had recorded most of these tunes himself. In retrospect, the inside playing of Sanders is less of a surprise, the saxophonist having followed that path regularly since at least the '80s. This performance has held up well through the years, and while the thin, reserved approach is reminiscent of Coltrane, it is still marked with Pharoah's print. The competent and thoroughly professional rhythm section of pianist William Henderson, bassist Stafford James, and drummer Eccleston W. Wainwright takes a decidedly reserved cue from the saxophonist, but each song is infused with a subtle emotional quality that simply does not let go. - by Steven Loewy, AMG

Tracks:
1. You Don't Know What Love Is (Gene DePaul/Don Raye) 4:57
2. The Nearness of You (Dedicated to Eddie Moore) (Hoagy Carmichael/Ned Washington) 5:20
3. My One And Only Love (Robert Mellin/Guy Wood) 8:09
4. I Want To Talk About You (Billy Eckstine) 8:15
5. Soul Eyes (Mal Waldron) 9:24
6. Nancy (With The Laughing Face) (Phil Silvers/James Van Heusen) 6:54
7. Polka Dots And Moonbeams (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen) 7:22
8. Say It (Over and Over Again) (Frank Loesser/Jimmy McHugh) 7:03
9. Lament (J.J. Johnson) 6:18
10. The Bird Song (Pharoah Sanders) 6:59

Personnel:
Pharoah Sanders (Tenor and Soprano Saxophone)
William Henderson (Piano)
Stafford James (Double Bass)
Eccleston W. Wainwright (Drums)

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