2nd Chance: Sun Ra - Universe in Blue (1972)

The Universe in Blue is a fantastic set. The title cut is just a slow blues soloing showcase with Sun Ra's "intergalactic space organ," trumpet (not sure who), John Gilmore's tenor sax, and back to Ra. June Tyson takes center stage for "Blackman", giving a particularly impassioned performance. "In a Blue Mood" (just Ra and Luqman Ali on drums) and "Another Shade of Blue" are just back-to-the-basics blues form for more soloing. Ra sticks to organ for the entire date, and it's just wonderful to hear what the Arkestra does with such a "simple" form. This is a fairly rare, fairly inside date, and fans of Ra and Gilmore's playing will be especially pleased. 

AMG // Sean Westergaard

Released as Saturn ESR 5000 IGB in 1972 (in mono), Universe in Blue was recorded live somewhere on the west coast presumably around August, 1971. However, the greatly reduced Arkestra suggests that it could have been recorded “somewhere on the road” in mid-1972, as they straggled across the country on their way back to Philadelphia for good (see Campbell & Trent pp.172-173). To further confuse the matter, “The Good Doctor” at ESP-disk’ provides a firm date of August 17, 1971 but insists the venue is Slug’s Saloon in New York City (see below). Who knows? In any event, behind the striking, psychedelicized album cover awaits a tasty selection of smoky, blues-based compositions, dominated by Ra’s patented “space-age barbeque” organ.

Sun Ra leads the way on the somnambulant title track, a dreamy, slowly smoldering blues, demonstrating his mastery of the tradition while summoning up swelling and percussive Hammond-like sounds from the otherwise cheesy Farfisa organ. After a blissful five minutes, Kwami Hadi enters on trumpet, only to be rudely cut off by the tape running out. Ouch! Some amount of music is missing, with part two picking up with the rhythm section reaching a low boil, with a sparse horn section offering swinging punctuation to Hadi’s bravura trumpet statements. John Gilmore then takes over with his soulful growl for a chorus or two on tenor sax before Ra returns with a brief, understated solo on organ to end. “Blackman” sets up a moderately rocking groove for June Tyson, who evokes a time when “Pharaoh was sitting on his throne, when the Blackman ruled this land.” Over and over she implores, her voice cracking with emotion, “I hope you understand!” When I hear her sing, I think I do understand.

“In a Blue Mood” is another slow burner featuring more fingerlickin’ good organ from Mr. Ra. Campbell & Trent suggest Alzo Wright is playing cello on this gig (p.172), but I can’t hear him at all. In this instance, Sonny is playing a wandering walking bass with his left hand, soloing all the while with his right. This is a truly superb solo performance by Sun Ra. “Another Shade of Blue” concludes the album with a mid-tempo swing number led by Gilmore’s indomitable tenor. Sonny shifts gears seemingly at random with unexpected key modulations while ad libbed horn riffs pop in and out. Unfazed, Gilmore just keeps things cooking -- and good lord, twelve minutes later, he’s still wailing away like a madman as the track fades out. Dang! Yes folks, it’s yet another incredible John Gilmore solo – what more can I say? It must be heard to be believed.

Continue Reading at NuVoid's Sun Ra Sundays

179. [167] Sun Ra and his Blue Universe Arkestra

Universe in Blue

Sun Ra (intergalactic space [Farfisa] org); Kwame Hadi (tp); Akh Tal Ebah (tp); Marshall Allen (as, ob, picc, fl); Danny Davis (as, acl); John Gilmore (ts); Pat Patrick (bars); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, fl); Eloe Omoe (bcl, picc); Alzo Wright (clo); Lex Humphries (d); June Tyson (voc).

Probably live in Californiac. August 1971

Universe in Blue Part I (Ra)
Universe in Blue Part II (Ra)
Blackman (Ra) [JT voc]
In a Blue Mood (Ra)
Another Shade of Blue (Ra)

Saturn LP200, Universe in Blue, was released in 1972.  The matrix number is ESR 5000 IGB.  It was recorded live on the road somewhere.  Most likely it was made on the West Coast in late summer of 1971, when only part of the Arkestra remained in the Bay Area.  (A 1972 date after the Arkestra left Oakland in May remains a possibility.)  Personnel from Saturn jacket.  The two parts of "Universe in Blue" come from a single performance, with an interruption when the tape ran out.

from Campbell / Trent  The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

Sun Ra and his Blue Universe Arkestra
Universe in Blue (1972)
Saturn ESR 200 (2012 180g reissue)

1. A1 Universe in Blue part I   5:00
2. A2 Universe in Blue part II   8:24
3. B1 Black Man   2:27
4. B2 In a Blue Mood   7:21
5. B3 Another Shade of Blue   11:43

-FLAC-
RS
HF

or

-320-
RS
HF

If you love this, be sure to check out the August 17, 1971 "I Roam The Cosmos" collection culled from Michael D. Anderson's ESP-Disk radio show.