Pharoah Sanders: Save Our Children

Some laud producer Bill Laswell for his role as a catalyst: He's proven adept at gathering disparate players and personalities into the same studio to stunning effect. Others loathe his role as a meddler: He just as frequently injects a little too much of his own vision into the works of those with whom he collaborates. Love him or hate him, though, there's no doubting Laswell's talent for drawing some of the most amazing players in jazz, rock, and funk out of seclusion or retirement. You can thank Laswell for giving P-Funk members Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell a reason to return, jazz greats Tony Williams and Sonny Sharrock one last burst of phenomenal inspiration, and legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders a chance to branch out a bit. Sanders' new Save Our Children isn't the fiery free-jazz salvo of which he's still capable; instead, the record is another eclectic hybrid that stays closely in sync with Laswell's one-world style. Blending jazz, funk, soul, and world music into one big musical soup, Save Our Children has too much going on to give Sanders a sturdy soloing platform, though he does seem more interested in pleasant, light playing that complements his fellow musicians rather than delivering flights of brass frenzy. On the title track and "Jewels Of Love," Sanders, like Laswell, serves as more of a bandleader, helping the 10 other performers—including Worrell, synth man Jeff Bova, and percussionists Zakir Hussain and Trilok Gurtu—retain their Zen-like focus. If anything, Save Our Children belongs to Hussain and Gurtu, as their steady pitter-patter only seems intermittently joined by Sanders' graceful playing. There's a sense of drifting peace cast over Save Our Children that often veers close to New Age, but as the harmoniums hum with Sanders on the meditative "Kazuko," it's hard to complain. Better this than ocean sounds.