Sun Ra - Egyptian Fantasy from Beets: A Collection of Jazz Songs (1992)

"Egyptian Fantasy (Carefree)" has long been one of my Sun Ra concert favorites.  The hypnotic repetition of the theme makes for a great foundation over which the Arkestra's tone scientists can experiment freely and passionately (as you will hear).  Thanks to Mattia for requesting and to dmatlb for originally sharing with us.

(give it a moment - the track starts quietly)

Sun Ra - Egyptian Fantasy (rec. 1990)

671. [443]  Sun Ra and the Arkestra

Beets: A Collection of Jazz Songs

Sun Ra (p, syn); Michael Ray (tp); Ahmed Abdullah (tp); Tyrone Hill (tb); Marshall Allen (as, fl); Noël Scott (as); John Gilmore (ts, timb); James Jacson (bsn, Inf-d); John Ore (b); Buster Smith (d); Ron McBee (cga, perc); Elson Nascimento (surdo grande, perc); Jorge Silva (repinique, perc).

prob. Skeppsholmen, Stockholm,
June or July 1990

Egyptian Fantasy [Carefree] (Ra)

The complete version of this track (clocking in at 13:06) was released in 1992 on the various-artists compilation Elemental/t.e.c. 90902 [CD], Beets: A Collection of Jazz Songs.  An edited version of less than 4 minutes was released in 1990 on Elemental/t.e.c. 90901 [LP].  Tom Timony of Elemental/t.e.c. told Malcolm Humes that the track was recorded live in Europe, "maybe Sweden or Switzerland."  The "Egyptian Fantasy" from Zurich (July 17, 1990) is very similar in approach to this one, and only about one minute longer.  However, Bengt Berg recalls a performance by the Arkestra at the jazz festival at Skeppsholmen, Stockholm, around this same time, at which Scott and McBee were present.  Personnel identified by rlc.  According to Callins, the Arkestra remained in Europe for the entire month of July.

According to Malcolm Humes, this collection was also sold as a cassette encased in what appeared to be a can of… beets.  The other artists were Fred Frith, Club Foot Orchestra, Peter Fair, ROVA, Machete Ensemble of San Francisco, Tom Cora, Anthony Braxton/Gino Robair, Eric Drew Feldman, Snakefinger, B. Singer, Sonny Simmons, Winston Tong, and Big Butter.

If this only whets your appetite, check out the Lugano video (June 27, 1990)  recently offered at Solar Flares.  Thanks again, Ruby!!

Lugano Switzerland (June 27, 1990)

"Egyptian Fantasy (Carefree)" from Beets: A Collection of Jazz Songs

FLAC & 320

RS
HF