For some time I have been thinking about doing a series of mixes based upon a single subject, such as a singer, band, venue, record label or genre of music.
The first mix in the 'Thinkin About' series of mixes is Pharoah Sanders, who made me look at the music I love from a different perspective and took me with him on his musical journey.
Pharoah Sanders is an American jazz saxophonist. first coming to peoples attention as A member of John Coltrane's groups of the mid-1960s,
Pharoah is known for his over-blowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone and his use of "sheets of sound".
Pharoah has released over 30 albums and has collaborated extensively with Leon Thomas and Alice Coltrane, among others. Saxophonist Ornette Coleman described him as "probably the best tenor player in the world".
Pharaoh's music has been labelled "spiritual jazz" due to his inspiration in religious concepts such as Karma and Tawhid, and his rich, meditative aesthetic. This style is seen as a continuation of Coltrane's work on albums such as A Love Supreme. As a result, Sanders is considered a disciple of Coltrane.
At the age of 81, Pharoah still performs live and I recommend that if you get the opportunity to see Pharoah live, after the pandemic dies down, go and you will be in for a beautiful treat.
MCR
Playlist
Pharaoh Sanders – Oh Lord Let Me Do No Wrong [Doctor Jazz]
The Alex Blake quintet feat Pharaoh Sanders - Now is the Time
Pharoah Sanders – Thembi
Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders - Stopover Bombay
Pharaoh Sanders – Africa
Pharoah Sanders - Live in Paris (1975) - Love Is Everywhere
Pharoah Sanders - Astral Traveling
Sleepwalker feat Pharoah Sanders - The Voyage
Pharoah Sanders – MoonChild
Kahil El'Zabar – Africanos-Latinos
Pharoah Sanders – Moon Rays
Pharoah Sanders – Love is Here
Pharoah Sanders - Origin
Pharoah Sanders featuring Leon Thomas – Shukuru
Pharoah Sanders - Live in Paris (1975) - The Creator Has A Master Plan
Jazz Matters
Jazz Matters is a not-for-profit hobby project that I’m extremely proud of.
It began life in May 2021 as NuDirections, a weekly radio show on a London community station. That spirit of discovery still runs through everything I do.
But today, Jazz Matters has evolved into a global podcast platform for Jazz and World music lovers — reaching over 40,000 open-minded listeners across 57 countries on more than 24 platforms.2025/6 marks a new era. My love of music has always gone beyond Jazz, so I’ve created two distinct but connected spaces here
Jazz Matters: Podcasts, Playlists and Music Videos.
Jazz Lines: Blogs, Interviews, Gallery & Pulse for Who's Shaping the Scene.
I’m also preparing a full digital relaunch from my new studio, from 1st May 2026, then every Jazz Matters podcast, mix, and special will stream exclusively from my website—no third-party platforms and no algorithms. Until then, you can listen here and on 24+ podcast platforms.
Alongside the music, you’ll find in Jazz Lines, my platform for blogs, interviews, gallery, and pulse that links to things that catch my ear and eye. A bold new chapter begins soon. New location. New music player. New studio.
Jazz Matters. Because the music — and everything around it — truly does.
Enjoy the music I love