Elevation, released in 1974 on Impulse! Records, finds tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders expanding his spiritual jazz vision on an album that balances ecstatic expression with focused ensemble interplay. Produced by Ed Michel and recorded in 1973 across a live performance and studio sessions, Elevation features a dynamic ensemble including Joe Bonner on piano, John Heard on bass, and Michael Carvin on drums. Leon Thomas contributes vocals on the opening live track, "Greeting to Saud (Brother McCoy)," recorded at the Ash Grove in Los Angeles, while Kenneth Nash adds layered percussion and Michael White appears on violin. Elevation marks the culmination of his Impulse! discography - a cohesive and spiritually resonant final studio statement that bridges the raw fire of earlier albums with a deeper, more spacious sound. The Verve Vault Series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
