Elevation, released in 1974 on Impulse! Records, finds tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders expanding his spiritual jazz vision on an album that balances ecstatic expression with focused ensemble interplay. Produced by Ed Michel and recorded in 1973 across a live performance and studio sessions,Elevation features a dynamic ensemble including Joe Bonner on piano, John Heard on bass, and Michael Carvin on drums. Leon Thomas contributes vocals on the opening live track, "Greeting to Saud (Brother McCoy)," recorded at the Ash Grove in Los Angeles, while Kenneth Nash adds layered percussion and Michael White appears on violin.
The album's open forms, modal grooves, and spiritual themes underscore Sanders' ongoing search for transcendence and cultural affirmation through sound. With chant-like melodies, circular motifs, and immersive rhythmic textures, pieces like "The Gathering" and the title track reflect a more meditative and exploratory side of Sanders's aesthetic. Elevation marks the culmination of his Impulse! discography — a cohesive and spiritually resonant final studio statement that bridges the raw fire of earlier albums with a deeper, more spacious sound.
The Verve Vault series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Elevation
Greeting To Saud (Brother McCoy Tyner)
What's My Name?
Ore-Se-Rere (Nigerian Juju HiLife)
The Gathering
Spiritual Blessing
