Incredible 37.5 Minute Groove! Grabs and Holds Your Intrest
Talking Wall | Queen Creek, AZ | 03/31/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I LOVE this release, even more so than Karma and Jewels of Thought. Cecil McBee, Stanley Clarke, Billy Hart, and Norman Connors along with what sounds like an army of African percussionists lay down an amazing groove while while the horns take it in turns to go wild. There are some hornless sections that focus on the Balophone as sort of African marimba. The first time I heard Black Unity, I played it over and over again for three days straight. With the exception of what sounds like some sort of electronic keyboard fading in and out with a droning chord, it's all acoustic. Sanders is amazing. He's doing with his sax, imagination, and circular breathing what Hendrix did with an electric guitar with a battery of electronic gadgets.
If you are a fan of the Impulse label, especially the late 60's and early 70's then Black Unity is essential. The energy is incredible. The only thing I can compare it to in terms of Energy is Miles Davis "It's About That Time, March 7, 1970 Fillmore East".
Dig it!"
A Living Legend
lee morgan | NYC, NY United States | 05/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Saw Pharoah at Birdland in NYC last night and at nearly 70, he is still as strong and powerful as ever, perhaps only Billy Harper among current tenor players can match the purity and power of his playing. Black Unity along with Karma, Deaf, Dumb and Blind , Jewels of Thought And the live DVD from Santa Cruz and SF in the 80s are simply "must have" additions to any library. He is the last of a line. A master. Excellent playing on Black unity by Cecil McBee, Marvin Hannibal Peterson, Joe Bonner, Lawrence Killian et al."
Track Listings (1) - Disc #1
