Thembi, originally released in 1971 on Impulse!, marks a pivotal shift in Pharoah Sanders’ career. Dedicated to his wife, Nomathemba—meaning "love, faith, and hope" in Xhosa—this album features shorter, impactful tracks that highlight Sanders' versatility.

On Thembi, Sanders employs a range of instruments, including tenor and soprano saxophones, alto flute, koto, balafon, and various percussion instruments. The album showcases a talented ensemble, featuring Lonnie Liston Smith on piano, who experiments with the Fender Rhodes electric piano, along with Michael White on violin, Cecil McBee on bass, and percussionists Chief Bey, Majid Shabbaz, and Nat Bettis. A key moment in the recording came when Smith began playing with the Rhodes, leading to the creation of "Astral Traveling." He recalled, “I started messing with it… Pharoah said, 'Man, we gotta record that.'” This track embodies the album’s ethereal vibe and highlights Sanders’ openness to innovation.

Overall, Thembi stands as a landmark in Sanders’ discography and the evolution of jazz in the early 1970s, blending traditional and innovative elements that make it a powerful testament to the spirit of free jazz.

2024 reissue, released via Verve's Verve By Request Series

Tracklist:

Side A

Side B