Pharoah Sanders – Pharoah

Just so everyone knows - the channels are reversed on this bootleg, and while it is nice sounding, the LukaBop box version is clearly better.

Exciting news folks. Luaka Bop are releasing a remastered 2LP vinyl box set of this LP including the studio album and a previously unreleased live version in September. Official, licensed and with Pharoah Sander's blessing before he sadly passed.

Won't be hard to beat the flat and lifeless sounding bootleg which someone on Discogs genuinely tried to sell to me for 150 EUR! :D

I did get hold of the boot after I'd finished laughing at the price the first seller wanted. I paid about 30 EUR. Even at that price, I'd say don't waste your money on the crappy bootleg, wait for the real deal coming soon.

Bootleg, bootleg, bootleg from an Italian distributor called Goodfellas. Makes sense name wise.

I'm genuinely struggling to understand why people are giving positive comments on this press. I have ordered 2 copies via Amazon and both copies sound just so bad, super-duper compressed, and really poor bass, like no bass to me. and so much surface noise, it's incredible! -Seriously even if you compare it to the one uploaded on Youtube, it sounds way richer and warmer, it's a joke really.

FYI this is available for roughly 25 bucks from the evil empire Walmart and Amazon. My copy hasn't come in yet but I will listen and let you know my thoughts.

The Alternative Fox pressing is available again - Stranger than Paradise have some x

This Alternative Fox Reissue is likely a bootleg LP, but since OG copies are super rare to even turn up and are going for outlandish prices we are lucky to have an opportunity to hear this majestic music at all. My FOX041 LP copy plays dead quiet, pressed on center, not warped and sounds shockingly good. All the instruments are crisp, clear and loud with a full dimension of sound. A real surprise. I see copies on Ebay and Amazon but respect that Discogs won't sell it.

My 1st Alternative Fox bootleg was BADLY WARPED... I bring it back, they exchange it from another copy they had in the back, I ask for them to open it there to see if it's WARPED, it is. Record clerk went through 3 COPIES, ALL WARPED to find the 4th that wasn't. Record sounds great though!

The alternative fox bootleg is surprisingly great sounding. Well balanced, good soundstage and dynamics. Don't hesitate to pick it up if you find it at a decent price. You can find them for around 35

I just came across this at a local independent store. Never going to pay $500 for an OP even if one comes up, and I have to say I don't care anymore as this sounds great. The final notes that Pharoah plays on "Harvest Time" when the band drops out... well, the hair on the back of your neck is in for a workout.

The flip side is just OK, but I don't think that's particular to this release. Very weird production/engineering choices made on "Love Will Find A Way," like miking the organ from 100 ft away, and in truth it's not a great tune to begin with. And "Memories" is like a slab of generic 67-73 Pharoah, which is fine of course but doesn't stand out.

No matter. Side A is one of the greatest sides in the history of 20th century music IMO. Worth the price of admission many times over.