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Title: A bit dull.
Review: "Message From Home" was the first of (so far) three albums by Pharoah Sanders produced by Bill Laswell and the first album by Sanders in quite a long time (I think since the '70s) to consist of all originals. It is not, unfortunately, very good.The album consists largely of synthesizer driven mid-tempo grooves well informed with percussion washes and fiery playing from Sanders. At its best, it proves pleasant enough (vocal chant-and-flute piece "Kumba"), at worst it finds Sanders in drastic opposition to the music (ballad "Nozipho" finds Sanders overblowing and screeching against a soporific backdrop). It's not unlistenable, but its not the kind of record you'll be reaching for.Sanders and Laswell would succeed much more on their future efforts, this one is really pretty far from essential.
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