GENRE; Jazz
LABEL; Listening Position
RATING; 8.7
African Skies by Kelan Phil Cohran & Legacy is a deeply atmospheric journey that stands out as both a spiritual jazz landmark and a cosmic listening experience. Originally recorded in 1993 for the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and newly reissued in 2025, this album blends meditative improvisation with global musical influences to create something timeless and transcendent.
Right from the opening track, “Theme,” the music unfolds with an engaging, harp-led motif that feels celestial and grounded at the same time. The use of harp — alongside less conventional instruments such as the Frankiphone (Cohran’s custom electrified thumb piano) — gives the record a unique texture that combines rhythm and melody in circular, hypnotic patterns.
The centerpiece, “White Nile,” stretches over ten minutes of fluid interplay between bowed bass, plucked harp, and Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals. These elements weave together like a constellation in motion — mysterious yet comforting in its depth. The interplay of instruments often feels conversational, allowing each voice to contribute to the expansive soundscape.
Tracks like “Sahara” and “Kalahari” further showcase the ensemble’s dynamic range, from jagged rhythmic spirals to instinctive flute exchanges that evoke landscapes both earthly and cosmic. “Cohran Blues” roots the journey in the soulful traditions of early jazz, forming a bridge between spiritual exploration and more familiar idioms.
The album’s brief but potent 37-minute runtime never feels rushed. Instead, it captures a sense of wonder as it moves from one celestial idea to the next, grounded by Cohran’s decades of musical innovation and philosophical inquiry. African Skies is essential listening for anyone drawn to jazz that seeks not just to entertain, but to elevate.
