- Source: Shukuru
Shukuru is an album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1981 and released on the Theresa label in 1985.
Reception
In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow commented: "Sanders does a close impression of late-'50s John Coltrane on "Body and Soul" and "Too Young to Go Steady" and shows a bit more heat on the other two numbers. But fans of his most passionate dates are advised to get a sampling of the earlier Impulse recordings instead."
The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings stated that Sanders "appears to be rethinking his strategy... turning back to standards-playing for the first time in many years," and noted that "Body and Soul" is "intelligently performed, with few new ideas, but a sympathetic synthesis of much of what has gone on between Byas and Coltrane concentrated into a relatively straightforward melodic response."
Track listing
All compositions by Pharoah Sanders except as indicated
"Shukuru" – 5:44
"Body and Soul" (Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour) – 7:33
"Mas in Brooklyn" – 3:41
"Sun Song" (Leon Thomas) – 6:04
"Too Young to Go Steady" (Harold Adamson, Jimmy McHugh) – 5:21
"Jitu" – 5:43
"For Big George" (Sanders, Thomas) – 7:59 Bonus track on CD reissue
Personnel
Pharoah Sanders – tenor saxophone, vocals
William Henderson – keyboards
Ray Drummond – bass
Idris Muhammad – drums
Leon Thomas – vocals (tracks 3 & 4)