New Steps is one of several albums done with this basic lineup in January of 1978. This album is billed to the Sun Ra Quartet, but it sounds like there's a bass player present on at least some of the cuts (it could be Ra, but he'd need three hands). There are two standards amongst a program of Ra originals, and things get started with a stellar version of "My Favorite Things." The music quickly takes its only sharp turn toward outer space as Ra introduces listeners to "Moon People," the only track where Ra emphasizes synthesizer over piano. "Sun Steps" is a slow tune featuring some beautiful piano playing from Sun Ra. In fact, the remainder of the album is on the mellow side ("When There Is No Sun" is the only track with vocals), and features some great statements by John Gilmore and Ra. Michael Ray is in fine form as well, if somewhat less exuberant than usual. With such a small group, solo space is ample, and Luqman Ali's understated drumming really holds things together nicely. New Steps is another fabulous release from Sun Ra, but all the Horo albums can be difficult to find.
AMG Review by Sean Westergaard
According to Gianni Morelenbaum Gualberto, who produced (New Steps), the Horos were made in a small studio that specialized in jingles, because none of the other studios in Rome were available at the time. Sunny used a small, cheap keyboard that he found in the "Horo Voice Studio" to program his bass lines.
The 2-LP set Horo HDP 25-26, New Steps, was issued in 1978. All information from the album jacket. Sun Ra frequently used his Crumar keyboard to program repeated lines and "drum" sequences throughout the January 1978 sessions in Italy. These can be heard on live material (like "Disco 3000") as well as the studio tracks.
"Rome at Twilight" was reissued in 1995 on a compilation titled Rendez-Vous 2, put out by the French StreetJazz label. Thanks to Doug Watson for this information.
from The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.
The 2-LP set Horo HDP 25-26, New Steps, was issued in 1978. All information from the album jacket. Sun Ra frequently used his Crumar keyboard to program repeated lines and "drum" sequences throughout the January 1978 sessions in Italy. These can be heard on live material (like "Disco 3000") as well as the studio tracks.
"Rome at Twilight" was reissued in 1995 on a compilation titled Rendez-Vous 2, put out by the French StreetJazz label. Thanks to Doug Watson for this information.
from The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.
260. [213] Sun Ra Quartet featuring John Gilmore
New Steps
Sun Ra (Crumar Mainman, keyb, p, voc); Michael Ray (tp, voc); John Gilmore (ts, timb, voc); Luqman Ali (d, voc).
New Steps
Sun Ra (Crumar Mainman, keyb, p, voc); Michael Ray (tp, voc); John Gilmore (ts, timb, voc); Luqman Ali (d, voc).
Horo Voice Studio, Roma,
January 2 and 7, 1978
January 2 and 7, 1978
Sun Ra Quartet featuring John Gilmore
New Steps
New Steps
1. My Favorite Things 8:22
2. Moon People 7:50
3. Sun Steps 11:42
4. Exactly Like You 6:07
5. Friend and Friendship 6:57
6. Rome at Twilight 5:12
7. Where There Is No Sun 4:40
8. The Horo 15:35
2. Moon People 7:50
3. Sun Steps 11:42
4. Exactly Like You 6:07
5. Friend and Friendship 6:57
6. Rome at Twilight 5:12
7. Where There Is No Sun 4:40
8. The Horo 15:35
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thanks you VERY much!!!
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Very curious to hear this one. Ra's Italian recordings were often difficult to come by until the digital age, and this one also intrigued me. I look forward to an 'adventure-equation.' Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIf this was done at the same time as "Other Voices, Other Blues" is it not possible the bass lines were done the same way by Ra himself on the keyboard? Never the less a truly classic Ra album.
ReplyDeletei like the 'deep immersion' approach that this blog takes! it is not just one album from this foursome in italy period, it is a lot of them!
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I wondered the same thing, Moremiles, when I read Sean's review. I believe one reason Ra used the Crumar Mainman throughout these sessions was its rhythmic programming capability. I assume he could program a 'bass' tone for a repeated rhythm rather than using a drum sound.
ReplyDeleteI think these quartet albums are fantastic. I'm glad you all are enjoying them, too!
This is some seriously fantastic stuff. Thank you!
ReplyDeletevery tasty indeed! How about Unity, another great Horo disc.
ReplyDeleteBig thanks
Have no fear, dS! Unity is coming. Only a week or two before you see it here.
ReplyDeleteI always liked the way Sonny approached My Favorite Things - staying with the changes instead of simply playing melody as the head and soloists improvising over a one or two chord vamp. Here, as with something as basic the blues, you think you've heard all the possibilities, and then along comes Ra with something you never thought of before.
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Hey Yotte! Another I had missed to check out! Also the LEO Cleveland live date! Many Thanks!
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