Originally released in 1972, Black Unity declared Pharoah Sanders' arrival as a band leader and an arranger. An intensely rich and passionate recording, its spiritual leanings intimate Coltrane, but its sound is utterly Pharoah's. A glittering wash of koto, shakers, thumb piano and bells is underpinned by a double rhythm section. The rhythm section comprises the combined force of Cecil McBee and Stanley Clarke's acoustic bass lines, Norman Connors and Billy Hart provide the drums and forceful horn riffing comes from Carlos Garnett and Marvin Peterson. Joe Bonner provides concordance with spare gospel piano lines, and Pharoah Sanders' tenor soars over it all. This is percussive, organic, jazz that tells an arresting story over its 40-minute journey: it never blows itself to pieces like, say, Coltranes' extraordinary Ascension, and displays intensely satisfying dynamics, with a balance between free improvisation and thematic melody that has been rarely matched.--Neil Bennun