“Karma”: A Listener’s Guide
As much as I love music, I can say that very few albums or songs have truly touched me and impacted me emotionally. Karma by Pharoah Sanders is one of these albums. You know when you listen to something really good you kind of just drop what you’re doing and just stare at the floor or wall in just pure awe? That was me the first time hearing this amazing album. With just two tracks and a run time of just under 40 minutes, this album is the perfect size for what it presents. I’ve looked at many reviews of Karma in preparation for this article, and they all focus on a central theme: This album is a ride through the universe and its entirety, both beautiful and scary.
But why make a listener’s guide? In the same vein that people make sample breakdowns or song explanations, I feel like a sort of in-depth, play-by-play breakdown of this song is warranted to fully bring out the genius of it and to get a true appreciation of this masterpiece. So, come along with me, load up the album, hit play, and let’s ride through the cosmos together…
Song #1: The Creator Has A Master Plan
0:00 — Blastoff
We have a very grandiose introduction to the album with a variety of bells, a distant, yet somehow over-encompassing piano, and Pharoah Sanders on the tenor sax with a flute to compliment. I like to think of the saxophone as the preacher in the church. The guttural screeching of the saxophone is common in many Avante-Garde jazz records and can turn many off the sounds. I think that adds to my whole pastor headcanon. The cacophony of sounds is also reminiscent of a rocket ship blasting off into space. It’s loud, chaotic, and beautiful.
2:00 — Entry into Space
After leaving the atmosphere, suddenly everything is zero-gs. The calm bassline is a callback to the bassline on John Coltrane’s magnum opus, A Love Supreme. Pharoah Sanders has taken up the mantle of John Coltrane’s journey of spirituality in jazz music and this is a beautiful homage. Use this section to imagine yourself looking at how large and beautiful the earth is from the window of your spaceship. That’s where we have lived for the entire existence of humanity, isn’t it great? Man, this part always makes me smile, it’s so full of joy and wonder! The repetitiveness of the song helps put you into a hypnotic trance as we journey further and further into the universe. The tenor sax offers reassurance that everything is going to be okay in your journey, just sit back and relax.
7:26 — The Thesis
A voice! That’s Leon Thomas, the deacon to the tenor sax pastor on this journey. I’ve said in a previous article that most Avante-Garde jazz songs have “thesis statements” to them, which is sort of like the chorus to a normal song. Thomas sings the main takeaway that you should get from this song.
“The Creator has a Master Plan, Peace and Happiness for Every Man”
Thomas goes on to yodel his heart out. At first, I giggled at how ridiculous he sounded. But after hearing this song many times, you can hear his joy and happiness in his yodels, it’s almost spiritual hearing him. As we drift further and further from Earth, it gets smaller and smaller. Everything seems so fragile in the openness of space, and it’s beautiful. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…
11:10 — Entering Hyperspace
As Thomas fades out, we return beginning of the song. We’re picking up speed in our rocketship, hold on tight. The tenor sax, while holding on for dear life, reassures the passengers that everything is going to be alright, he seems a bit more frantic though.
12:57 — Exiting Hyperspace
We did it, we’re safe! That was a bit scary, but we made it out unharmed. We’re currently drifting in front of many beautiful planets and stars. Nobody but us has seen these star formations before, it’s remarkable. The tenor sax is remarking on the beauty of the universe, screaming to the sermon on how great it is to live in God’s creation.
15:30 — Tone Shift
The bass line seamlessly fades into a new feel, we get more of a gospel-inspired bass line. The tenor and piano even change to a new feel. This new gospel part makes you want to get up and clap/dance to the wonder that is the universe. Be happy, you are God’s children! Dance! The tenor sax screams at the sermon, going around the room as random people catch the Holy Ghost. It’s chaos, everyone is running around, almost moshing, things are getting too exciting.
17:15 — Water Break
The tenor sax, I’m guessing, is tired and sweaty from running around the room. He sits in the corner to drink some water and cool down while everyone in the sermon is riled up. The piano, the flute, and the french horn take over control of the crowd, keeping the hype. Thomas reappears, yodeling some more. Everyone is really happy to be here and is having a good time. Bask in the Glory of God!
20:21 — Return of the Pastor
The tenor sax returns in full with his screechy tone, complemented by the happy yodels of Leon Thomas. It’s pure chaos in the room, everyone is moving and running around the room. All semblance of order has been gone, it’s just pure noise. To an outsider, things might look scary and dangerous, but to the people on the inside (you and I included), we know it’s nothing but pure joy. Things get too much out of control and the tenor sax tries to get things under control, to little avail. Thomas’ yodeling isn’t helping. In the chaos of the room, all you can hear is the tenor sax trying his hardest. It’s endearing.
24:16 — Regain of Control
The tenor sax slowly but surely gains the attention of the sermon and guides it back to a more recognizable gospel service. The tambourine and piano return to their normal positions. Everyone is hot and sweaty but still happy. Relieved, the pastor makes a very open prayer to God in the middle of the service, thanking Him for everything. Thomas returns later, with even happier yodeling. The energy is still high, but everyone is still respectful.
28:10 — Turning Around
The tenor sax signals the bass to start the bass from the beginning of the song. We return to the A Love Supreme bass line as everything slows down. This signals that we are reaching the end of our trip and are returning to Earth. Everyone is tired and ready to go to sleep. As you stare out at the planets and stars, the tenor sax explains the beauty of it all.
30:26 — Conclusion
Most research papers end with conclusions, and in those conclusions thesis statements are restated. Leon Thomas returns with the same lyrics before at 7:26. Use this time to reflect on what we learned on this journey. Reflect on the marvel of the planets, stars, supernovas, black holes. The Earth is in view and it gets larger and larger. You certainly will remember this journey for the rest of your life.
Song #2: Colors
It’s over, we’re back on Earth and the journey is complete. We are currently deboarding the rocket ship. The sunset is beautiful. This song, in my opinion, is the reward that you get for surviving this journey. The tenor sax plays more of a saxophone role than it does a human role. If this were a movie, Colors would play during the end credits. There are many different moving parts to this song, reminiscent of the beginning of The Creator Has A Master Plan. Leon Thomas sings his heart out about Mother Nature and all of its colors. When I first heard his voice on this song, my jaw dropped. Thomas is the star of this song, not Sanders.
Thank you so much for taking this journey with me. I know it might have been a bit cheesy, but I believe that this album truly is a way to transport yourself through the universe. I wouldn’t even call myself that much of a spiritual person, but WOW, this album always recharges me spiritually. Take this ride as many times as you want, see if you can spot something that you haven’t seen before, I’ll be here waiting for you…
