Impulse!, 1969

“Karma” marked the beginning of Sanders’ late 60s/early 70s stretch of albums with spiritual themes, in which he pursued the same universalist aims as his former mentor, the late John Coltrane. Indeed, the 32-minute track “The Creator Has A Masterplan,” which fills most of the album, feels like a sequel to Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme,” hung on a simple, loping bass figure with Leon Thomas’ gorgeously rich and inviting vocals repeating the main refrain and tipping into his unique yodelling style. Dense thickets of percussion and fiery bursts of explosive free-jazz ensure it’s a gripping journey from start to finish.