Drummer Franklin Kiermyer may not be a well-known name, but his Evidence CD is a real gem. Tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, a powerful screamer who added a lot of fire and intensity to John Coltrane’s 1966 quintet, had during the 1980s become much mellower and more melodic both in concert and on record, but this extremely powerful set restored one’s faith in his uniqueness. Sanders is heard at the peak of his powers, playing miraculous solos full of screams, shrieks, overtone manipulation, and pure emotion. Kiermyer (who wrote all six of the compositions) has the power of an Elvin Jones or a Rashied Ali without really copying their styles; his explosive playing fits in very well with Sanders. Pianist John Esposito and bassist Drew Gress cannot help being overshadowed by the dominant duo, but they play quite well and make their contributions felt during the quieter pieces, such as “Peace on Earth” and “Birds of the Niles,” during which Sanders is quite lyrical and tender. But it is the lengthy blowouts on “If I Die Before I Wake” and “Three Jewels” that really make this set very memorable. The phrase “blowing up a storm” does not even begin to describe the ferocious music. – Scott Yanow