Save Our Children
Pharoah Sanders · 1998
61 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A spiritual journey through expansive soundscapes, blending free jazz improvisation with moments of deep introspection and melodic beauty.
Top tracks — play these first
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Save Our Children Start here — This track serves as a poignant anthem addressing social issues, with Sanders' saxophone expressing urgency and compassion through its improvised lines.
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Jewels of Love — With its lengthy exploration of melody and rhythm, this track showcases Sanders' mastery of blending intricate improvisation with heartfelt emotion.
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Midnight in Berkeley Square — This piece stands out for its serene yet complex composition, reflecting both tranquility and tension while highlighting Sanders’ lyrical saxophone style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends structured melodies with free improvisation, creating a unique sound that rewards attentive listening.
What we noticed
- The title track features a gradual build-up with layered instrumentation, creating a sense of urgency that contrasts with the reflective nature of the subsequent pieces.
- Each track varies in length, with 'Kazuko' extending over ten minutes, allowing for extensive improvisation and exploration of themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- meditative journey through soundscapes
- steady pacing with gradual resolution
- immersive experience for deep listening
- spiritual motifs inviting reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek concise, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Explores socially conscious themes, adding depth to Sanders' extensive catalog.
- Themes
- spiritual awakening· social justice urgency· Berkeley Square tranquility
- Career context
- By the time 'Save Our Children' was released in 1998, Pharoah Sanders was a revered figure in the jazz community, known for his groundbreaking work in the free jazz movement since the 1960s. This album marked a significant moment as it showcased his ability to innovate while maintaining a deeply spiritual and emotional core, following his prior acclaimed works like 'Healing Song' (1996).
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alice Coltrane· Sun Ra· John Coltrane
Tracklist
- 1 Save Our Children Start here 7:52
- 2 Midnight in Berkeley Square 9:17
- 3 Jewels of Love 14:00
- 4 Kazuko 10:15
- 5 The Ancient Sounds 10:51
- 6 Far Off Sand 9:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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