** PHAROAH SANDERS, “Save Our Children, “ Verve

Sanders, the man who put the primal scream in later editions of John Coltrane’s band, continues his fusion explorations, bringing a variety of African, Middle and Far Eastern influences to this project, as well as touches of hip-hop. But even when these influences result in stirring beginnings, as on the droning tabla-synthesizer introduction to “My Jewels of Love,” Sanders allows them to evaporate behind vapid themes. While the saxophonist, who infrequently finds improvisational revelation on tenor and never on soprano, is no Kenny G, some of this material seems better suited for the pop instrumentalist than for the man who stood shoulder to shoulder with Coltrane.--B.K.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent).