Ensemble Al-Salaam - The Sojourner (Vinyl LP) PRE-ORDER

Expected Release Date: 08-January-2027 - This Pre-order will be shipped on or just before this date. Release dates are subject to alteration.

A1. Music Is Nothing But A Prayer
A2. Ecstasy
A3 The Sojourner A4. Circles
A5. Traces Of Trane
B1. Vibration Love Cal
B2. Malika
B3. Optimystical B4.Peace (Salaam)

★ Limited First Pressing
★ Includes Obi Strip

One of the brightest jewels in the legendary Strata-East catalogue, The Sojourner is an essential spiritual jazz masterpiece featuring the unforgettable
epic "Peace"

Recorded in 1974, The Sojourner is the debut and defining work of The Ensemble Al-Salaam, led by saxophonist Kalik Abdul Al-Rouf.
Revered by collectors as one of the finest releases on the iconic Strata-East label, the album captures the beauty, power, and spiritual depth that define
the golden era of American spiritual jazz.

Drawing from modal jazz, Afrocentric rhythms, soulful improvisation, and deep Black musical traditions, the album unfolds as a richly textured spiritual
journey. Highlights include the hypnotic ""The Sojourner,"" the cyclical modal exploration of "Circles" the high-energy Coltrane tribute "Trace Of Trane"
and the intense, dramatic "Malika" The peaceful "Optimystical" offers a moment of reflection before the album reaches its emotional peak with "Peace"

A true centrepiece of the album, "Peace" seamlessly blends warm soulfulness, modal jazz, and deep grooves before blossoming into an exhilarating
Brazilian-inspired finale. It stands as one of the great compositions in the Strata-East catalogue and a perfect expression of the spiritual jazz ethos.

Adding another unforgettable dimension are the performances of vocalist Beatrice Parker, whose luminous, life-affirming voice brings extraordinary
warmth and emotional depth to the album.