2nd Chance: Sun Ra - The Night of the Purple Moon (1970)

In mid-1970, Sun Ra reentered Variety Recording Studio, this time with a bare-bone Arkestra and yet another new electronic keyboard in tow, the RMI Rocksichord. In his perceptive liner notes to this CD, John Corbett describes the sound of the Rocksichord as an “unforgettable nasal quack,” and that’s a pretty accurate description of this primitive, transistorized electric piano. In another person’s hands, this would sound cheesy and (now) hopelessly out of date. But Ra builds solid, evocative compositions around the instrument and it is, inexplicably, just exactly perfect. Unfortunately, the original tapes were unsalvageable, so this reissue had to be sourced from a clean LP. There’s plenty of surface noise present, so at least we can be thankful the producers didn’t get carried away with the noise reduction and de-clicking, which can often just make things worse. Although Impulse! was prepared to reissue this album in late-seventies, it has remained an ultra-rare artifact until Atavistic released this CD in 2007. Despite the less-than-perfect sound-quality, The Night of the Purple Moon is one of the great Sun Ra albums – and one of my favorite albums of all time.

Gilmore plays mostly drums throughout, only pulling out the tenor saxophone for “Impromptu Festival,” where Danny Davis sits in on the drum stool. While neither were virtuoso drummers, they were more than adequate and, most importantly, well understood the unique rhythmic feel of Ra’s music. Stafford James produces a beautiful, rounded tone on the electric bass, at times almost sounding like an upright acoustic. Sadly, this was James’s only recorded appearance with the Arkestra. “Sun Earth Rock” sets the tone with the quacking Rocksichord changes over a medium groove and a simple, bluesy head. After a bouncy keyboard interlude, Davis peals off a brief, but astonishingly fluent alto sax solo. “The All of Everything” is a pretty ballad with Davis adding some mellifluous flute to Ra’s gently rippling chords. Gilmore’s tenor solo on “Impromptu Festival” is another example of his sheer genius: opening with a sort of fanfare, he bends and twists the two-note melody and massages the stiff, pre-bop rhythms to construct a trenchant, incisive statement.

(continue reading at the always wonderful NuVoid - Sun Ra Sunday blog)

This one is quirky, even in the Sun Ra catalog. Ra fronts a quartet playing nothing but miniMoog and Rocksichord, along with Stafford James on electric bass, Danny Davis on alto, clarinet, flute, and bongos, and John Gilmore on drums! Gilmore has a skittering approach to the drums, which are curiously mic'ed with the hi-hat being especially prominent. Ra's playing doesn't get too far out, although the tones of the Rocksichord and miniMoog are rather humorous, and most of the tunes are quite playful. Davis provides some fine alto, clarinet, and a number of freak-outs, with James anchoring the proceedings. Davis and Gilmore switch roles for "Impromptu Festival" for a taste of Gilmore's tenor while "Dance of the Living Image" has Gilmore on drums and Davis on bongos. The best point of reference for this album is "The Perfect Man" off the Singles compilation, except "The Perfect Man" uses miniMoog exclusively, and Gilmore is a more solid drummer than Danny Davis. Lots of fun and slightly goofy, Night of the Purple Moon is an entertaining curiosity within a singularly unique discography. [The 2007 Atavistic reissue includes four bonus cuts. The first is simply an alternate take of "Love in Outer Space." The others are home recordings with Ra on Wurlitzer. They aren't especially revelatory, but it's great to simply have this LP widely available. Since the master tapes were damaged, the Atavistic release was mastered from an unplayed vinyl copy.]

AMG Review by Sean Westergaard

163. [145] Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Astro-Solar Infinity Arkestra

The Night of the Purple Moon

Sun Ra (Rocksochord -1; two Mini-Moogs, Rocksichord -2); John Gilmore (ts -3; d -4); Danny Davis (d -3; as -5; fl -6; acl -7; bgo -8); Stafford James (eb except -2).

Variety Recording Studio, NYC, mid-1970

Sun-Earth Rock (Ra) -1, 4, 5
The All of Everything (Ra) -1, 4, 6
Impromptu Festival (Ra) -1, 3
Blue Soul (Ra) -2
Narrative (Ra) -2
Outside the Time Zone (Ra) -2
The Night of the Purple Moon (Ra) -1, 4, 7
A Birds-Eye View of Man's World (Ra) -1, 4, 7
21st Century Romance (Ra) -1, 4, 6
Dance of the Living Image (Ra) -1, 4, 8
Love in Outer Space (Ra) -1, 4, 7, 8
Love in Outer Space [alt.] (Ra) -1, 4, 7, 8

From The Earthly Recordings of Sun Ra 2nd ed.

Sun Ra & His Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra

The Night of the Purple Moon

(Atavistic CD)

 1.    Sun-Earth Rock    4:45

 2.    The All Of Everything    4:26

 3.    Impromptu Festival    4:05

 4.    Blue Soul    3:50

 5.    Narrative    2:59

 6.    Outside The Time Zone    5:05

 7.    The Night Of The Purple Moon    3:50

 8.    A Bird's Eye View Of Man's World    3:07

 9.    21st Century Romance    4:11

10.  Dance Of The Living Image    4:43

11.  Love In Outer Space    3:53

12.  Love In Outer Space (Alternate Take)    5:06

13.  Wurlitzer And Celeste    1:56

14.  Wurlitzer Solo 1    2:04

15.  Wurlitzer Solo 2    2:09

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1970 was certainly an auspicious year in Sun Ra’s recorded legacy. Not only were the two volumes of My Brother the Wind recorded, so too was this little gem. My original El Saturn vinyl, along with every copy I encountered back in the day sounded like they had been mastered from a playback machine with dirty heads. On both The All of Everything and 21st Century Romance, about a third of the way in, the audio fog lifts and suddenly John Gilmore’s hi hat kicks in. Sonny’s keyboard sounds clearer as well. The problem lasts all the way through Impromptu Festival, to the point that, until I came across the 180g reissue, I really couldn’t make out much of Danny Davis’ drum work at all. The CD reissue on Atavistic says it comes from an original El Saturn issue. Since it doesn’t have these drop outs, I guess the ones I’ve come across were from a later pressing. The vinyl they used for the CD had a fair amount of surface noise, so as far as I know, the 180g vinyl reissue is the best quality version around. Hope you’ll agree and enjoy. It’s certainly one of the many albums that sealed the deal for me with Sun Ra!

-rev.b

Sun Ra & His Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra
The Night of the Purple Moon
(LP Reissue)
Many Thanks to Rev.b for this rip!

1.  Sun-Earth Rock   4:38
2.  The All Of Everything   4:23
3.  Impromptu Festival   4:02
4.  Blue Soul   3:49
5.  Narrative   2:56
6.  Outside The Time Zone   5:01
7.  The Night Of The Purple Moon   3:46
8.  A Bird's Eye View Of Man's World   3:06
9.  21st Century Romance   4:08
10. Dance Of The Living Image   4:38
11. Love In Outer Space   3:58

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2nd Chance: Sun Ra - The Invisible Shield (1974)

Most of The Invisible Shield was reissued on the 1201Music label and divided between the CDs Janus and Standards.  Two tracks, however, "State Street" and "Time After Time 1" were not reissued and are only found on this 1974 LP.

Saturn LP 529, The Invisible Shield, was first issued in 1974.  At various times, it has also been titled A Tonal View of Times Tomorrow volume 2, Janus, and Satellites are Outerspace... (the last is a Saturn re-pressing from Blast First, available in 1989 and 1990).  The band was identified as "Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Arkestra."  There are many hybrid pressings in which this Side A replaces the original Side B of Saturn 539, What's New?

97. [84]  Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Arkestra

The Invisible Shield

Sun Ra (p.); Walter Miller (tp); Al Evans (flg); Ali Hassan (tb); Marshall Allen (as, fl); John Gilmore (ts); Pat Patrick (bars); Michael White (vln); Ronnie Boykins (b); Clifford Jarvis (d).

Choreographers Workshop,
NYC, late 1962

State Street (Ra)

This track appeared on Side A (matrix 144000A, 14400A on some labels) which has also appeared as side B on most copies of What's New?  The violinist has been mistakenly identified as Stuff Smith; Richard Wilkinson says Michael White.  Al Evans identified on then label as soloist; Boykins, Miller, and Jarvis also mentioned on the label.  Date given by Saturn merely as "'60s."

102. [89]  Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra

The Invisible Shield

Sun Ra (p.); Walter Miller (tp); John Gilmore (ts); Ronnie Boykins (b); Clifford Jarvis (d).

Time after Time 1 (Cahn-Styne)
Time after Time 2 (cahn-Styne) [no ts]
Easy to Love (Porter)
Sunnyside Up (DeSylva-Brown)

According to [Julian] Vein, a batch of tracks including "Sometimes I'm Happy" (from another session) and "Time after Time" through "But Not for Me" were sold to Black Lion in 1971 but not issued at that time.


102a. Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra

Sun Ra (p.); John Gilmore (ts); Ronnie Boykins (b); Lex Humphries (d).

Choreographers Workshop, NYC,
late 1962 or early 1963

Sometimes I'm Happy (Caesar-Youmans)

Careful listening to this track indicates that the drummer is not Clifford Jarvis as previously thought (Jarvis had a heavy and characteristic emphasis on the bass drum at this point in his career, and it is absent on this track).  The drummer appears to be Lex Humphries…

Invisible Shield - Side B

165. [147]  Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Arkestra

The Invisible Shield

Sun Ra (p.); Marshall Allen (fl); Danny Davis (acl); prob. Ronnie Boykins (b); John Gilmore (perc); poss. Pat Patrick (perc).

Variety Recording Studio, NYC,
1968-1970

Island in the Sun (Ra)

The date for this session is not firm.  The Saturn jacket merely says "1970s" and gives Philadelphia as the location.  The instrumentation is also compatible with a 1968-1969 date.  This composition is also known as "Islands in Space," and has been recorded under that name by Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe.

166. [148]  Sun Ra (org, Mini-Moog, syn); Marshall Allen (as); poss. Danny Davis (as); Danny Ray Thompson (libf); prob. Clifford Jarvis (d).

Live recording, 1970

The Invisible Shield (Ra)

This one can be more confidently dated because of the synthesizer.

167. [149]  Sun Ra (Clavinet or gong -- intro only; dir); John Gilmore (ts, bells); Danny Davis (as, perc); Marshall Allen (picc, perc); poss. Robert Cummings (bcl, perc); Ronnie Boykins (b); Art Jenkins (voc, space voice); Tommy Hunter (perc, reverb); prob. Pat Patrick (bgo, perc).

Choreographers Workshop, NYC, 1963/
Sun Studios, NYC, 1967-1968

Janus (Ra)

1970 was given as the date for all three tracks by Tilman Stahl (and it is listed on the labels of some copies of The Invisible Shield.  We have recently obtained indisputable evidence that "Janus" was done earlier.

In fact, careful listening to the CD remastering of "Janus" indicates two recordings from different dates that were spliced together by Ra later on.  The 35 seconds of loud low banging sounds that open the piece were produced by Ra on his Hohner Clavinet or perhaps on a gong (with deliberately distorted recording); the recording location was the Sun Studios, New York City, and the probable date 1967-1968.  The main body of "Janus" (over 6 minutes of music) were recorded in Sunny's psychedelic year, 1963.

"Island in the Sun," "The Invisible Shield," and "Janus" were sold to Alan Bates of Black Lion in December 1971, along with two tracks, "Velvet" and "Joy," which stem from an early 1968 concert.  Black Lion never released them (Julian Vein).  They were first issued (without "Velvet" and "Joy") as  Side B of the LP The Invisible Shield, Saturn LP 529 or 144000/144000B, which was initially released in 1974 (some labels misrender the matrix number as 14400.  Urs Berger's copy has yellow Philadelphia labels on both sides (with a 1973 date) and was sold in white porthole sleeves, but many other varieties exist.

These tracks also appear on a hybrid Invisible Shield on which Side A is replaced by 14200B from Space Probe.

Still another hybrid Invisible Shield carries 144000B as Side A and 143000B (from Outer Spaceways Incorporated) as Side B.  Urs Berger's copy has bluish labels from Philadelphia (with a 1973 release date) on both sides and was sold in a plain white porthole sleeve.  This hybrid was sold at concerts in Britain in 1990 and 1991; copies had a blue-purple Chicago-style El Saturn label and a plain white sleeve.

The complete package that was sold to Alan Bates was finally brought together in October 1999 as Janus, 1201 Music CD 90122.
from The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

Remarks that Art Jenkins made when "Janus" was played over radio station WKCR-FM, New York City, on April 17, 1987 - Sun Ra had challenged Jenkins to "sing about Africa." Among other things Jenkins said, "So after several rehearsals, we were ready... This time, my spirit took me back to Africa. And it was like in a dreamworld sense, but I was back in an African village, with African musicians, singers, and dancers. It was like, 'It's your time to sing.' One singer moves to the next singer, and so forth, just like the (universal) voice moves."

The Invisible Shield

1. State Street   3:45
2. Sometimes I'm Happy   6:42
3. Time after Time 1   2:18
4. Time after Time 2   3:30
5. Easy to Love   3:27
6. Sunnyside Up   3:36

7. Island in the Sun   5:41
8. The Invisible Shield   5:37
9. Janus   7:09

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Many Thanks to Marc E of Philly for his LP rip and to I-) for his patience & clean-up capabilities!

 

2nd Chance: Sun Ra - Outer Reach Intensity-Energy (Stars That Shine Darkly Vol. 2)

Third of the list of hybrid versions of Stars That Shine Darkly, Outer Reach Intensity-Energy is a mysterious and remarkable album.  Side A contains Ra compositions unheard (or at least rarely heard) elsewhere, from live performances of the late 1970s and early 1980s; Side B is comprised of the amazing Sun Ra All-Stars performance "Stars That Shine Darkly vol. 2" of late 1983. 

415. [309]  Sun Ra

Stars That Shine Darkly Volume 2

Sun Ra (org); Ahmed Abdullah (tp -1); Michael Ray (tp); unidentified (tp); Marshall Allen (as); poss. Danny Davis (as); John Gilmore (ts); Eloe Omoe (as, bcl, cacl); James Jacson (bsn, Inf-d); Danny Ray Thompson (libf -2; bars); unidentified (d); unidentified (d).

Live performances, 1976-1984

          Outer Reach Intensity-Energy (Ra)
          Cosmos Rendezvous (Ra) -1
          Barbizon (Ra)
          The Double That… (Ra)
          The Ever Is… (Ra) -2

Saturn Gemini 9-1213-85, titled Stars That Shine Darkly Volume 2 or Outer Reach Intensity-Energy, was released in 1985 (mastered on September 13, 1985, according to the Variety Recording Studio log).  The tracks on Side A appear to have been recorded at several live performances in 1984.  The lineup does not correspond with any of the European tours, and in the United States, Ahmed Abdullah would have played only in the New York area.  It is not clear when Michael Ray would have worked with the Arkestra either (John Gilmore stated in an interview on October 13, 1984, that Ray had not worked with the Arkestra since early 1983; see Sun Ra Research #7).  Personnel identified by rlc with help from ct.

Chris Trent now suggests that these tracks were cut at various concerts in the late 1970s.  If "Outer Reach" includes Danny Davis on alto sax, as ct suggests, that would argue strongly in favor of 1978 or earlier.  the material with Abdullah could also come from 1975-1978.  Further research needed …

Cosmic Rendezvous

400. [297]  Sun Ra All Stars

Stars that Shine Darkly /
Stars that Shine Darkly Volume 2

Sun Ra (p, syn, voc); Don Cherry (pocket tp); Lester Bowie (tp); Marshall Allen (as, EVI, fl, ob); John Gilmore (ts, voc); Eloe Omoe (cacl); Archie Shepp (ss); Richard Davis (b); Clifford Jarvis (d); Philly Joe Jones (d); Famoudou Don Moye (d, Sun Percussion).

Montreux, Switzerland
between November 2 and 5, 1883

          Stars That Shine Darkly…
          (Ra) (part 1)
          Stars That Shine Darkly…
          (Ra) (part 2)

"Stars that Shine Darkly part 1" was first released in 1985 on Side A of the Saturn LP 10-11-85, Stars That Shine Darkly Volume 1.  This album has also been titled Hiroshima.  "Stars that Shine Darkly parrot 2" was first released in 1985 on Side B of the Saturn Gemini LP 9-1213-85, Stars that Shine Darkly Volume 2, also titled Outer Reach Intensity-Energy.  Mark Webber points out that there is also a hybrid Stars That Shine Darkly album with part 1 on Side A and part 2 on Side B.  Date and location from Ted Panken on a WKCR-FM broadcast.  Presence of Omoe noted by ct; Danny Ray Thompson confirms that Ra "augmented" the All-Stars on a couple of occasions.

from Campbell / Trent  The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

 Outer Reach Intensity-Energy (Stars That Shine Darkly Vol. 2)

1. Outer Reach Intensity-Energy   4:07
2. Cosmos Rendezvous   4:31
3. Barbizon   4:01
4. The Double That...   5:02
5. The Ever Is...   4:05

6. Stars That Shine Darkly   23:27


Many thanks to Zyxirion for sharing his FLAC rip with us.

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And Otherness:

Hiroshima (Stars That Shine Darkly)

&

Stars That Shine Darkly (hybrid)

2nd Chance: Sub Underground (1974)

The appropriately titled Sub-Underground (also known as Cosmo-Earth Fantasy and Temple U.) is another super-rare artifact, badly in need of upgrade and reissue. Originally released as Saturn 92074 in late 1974, Prof. Campbell posits side one was recorded at Variety Recorders in New York City sometime in September while side two was recorded live at Temple University in Philadelphia, possibly on September 20 (Campbell & Trent p.214-215). Yet, as usual with Sun Ra, there is much confusion and uncertainty regarding the details of this recording and, after careful listening, I’m not sure I agree with our discographer in all respects. Unfortunately, the sound quality is somewhat murky and my less-than-perfect transfer of the original LP does not help to clarify much. Despite (or perhaps because of) its difficulties, Sub-Underground a fascinating record.

Side one is taken up with “Cosmo-Earth Fantasy,” an epic, twenty-two minute improvisation, obviously recorded in the studio. It begins with Arkestra scrubbing, scraping and plucking a variety of zithers, harps, guitars and other “Strange Strings” while Ra strums the interior of a piano. I love it! Enervated bass octaves come and go. Is this electric bass? (Prof. Campbell thinks so.) Or is it Ra on some sort of keyboard? Maybe—it’s hard to tell. Anyway, the spacey exotica goes on for about seven minutes before Ra fingers an ominous chord sequence on Clavinet, signaling Marshall Allen to pick up the oboe and echo Ra’s insistently repeated figures. Sonny continues to hold down a pedal point and outline upper-register harmonies while Allen keenly elaborates on the simple theme. Just lovely. Then the oboe drops out and there’s more “bass,” with what sounds like a melodica wheezing around the corner. At the half-way mark, a high-pitched marimba (Ra?) starts clattering away, Chinese-style, eventually joined by Allen on flute. Then the texture starts to thicken (possibly through the use of overdubbing) as multiple flutes, “bass,” Clavinet and percussion build up a spiky, Messiaenic din. Wild! After some slow, held chords, the piece comes to a definite, satisfying conclusion. Prof. Campbell lists additional instrumentalists, including John Gilmore on tenor sax, Eloe Omoe on bass clarinet and (possibly) Dale Williams on guitar (Id.), but I just don’t hear them on this track. Regardless, “Cosmo-Earth Fantasy” is a classic.

Love is For Always

Side two begins with “Love Is For Always,” another impossibly romantic piano ballad featuring Gilmore’s creamy and delicious tenor saxophone—yes, it’s another incredible Gilmore solo! This beautiful Ra composition was, apparently, only performed one time. What a shame! The distant and boomy drums indicate it was indeed recorded live, although, curiously, any applause has been deftly edited from the end of the track.

(Continue reading at NuVoid's Sun Ra Sunday)

220. [192] Sun Ra and his Arkestra

Sub Underground

Sun Ra (p, Mini-Moog, syn, keyb, marimba); Marshall Allen (as, fl, ob); John Gilmore (ts, perc); Eloe Omoe (bcl); poss. Dale Williams (eg); unidentified (b); poss. Tommy Hunter (d); prob. Atakatune (cga, perc); prob. Odun (cga, perc).

Variety Recording Studio,

NYC, September 1974

Cosmo-Earth Fantasy (Ra)

Released in 1974 as Side A of Philadelphia Saturn LP 92074, Sub Underground.  The title is confusing because other, unrelated LPs were marketed at one time or another as being in the "Sub Underground Series."  Also known as Cosmo-Earth Fantasy and Temple U.

According to Glen Jones, the Arkestra arrived late at the Five Spot for a gig one night in the fall of 1974 because they had been recording in a studio.  This is audibly a studio recording, and Variety Recording Studio was used regularly by Ra during the '70s.  Personnel identified by rlc.  Gilbert Hsaio points out that a marimba can be heard on this session; very likely the instrument was played by Sunny himself, as on "Crystal Spears" from 1973.  John Szwed thinks that overdubbing was used on this session (it definitely was on some Variety sessions from the late 1970s) and that an electric guitarist was also present.

221. [193]

Sun Ra (p, Mii-Moog, syn, org); Marshall Allen (as, fl, ob); John Gilmore (ts, perc); Eloe Omoe (bcl); unidentified (b); poss. Tommy Hunter (d); prob. Atakatune [Stanley Morgan] (cga, perc); prob. Odun [Russell Branch] (cga, perc); Eddie Thomas [Thomas Thaddeus] (voc -1); unidentified male (voc -1); June Tyson (voc -2); poss. Cheryl Banks (voc -2).

Temple University, Philadelphia,

poss. September 20, 1974

Love Is for Always (Ra)
The Song of Drums (Ra) -1
The World of Africa (Ra) -2

Released in 1974 as Side B of Saturn LP 92074, Sub Underground.  Some copies are titled Sub Underground #2.  This LP is also known as Cosmo-Earth Fantasy.  The location for these performances, clearly from a live session, is suggested by still another title, Temple U.  Alden Kimbrough's copy has "Live at Temple University 1974" written on the back cover.

From Campbell / Trent  The Earthly Recordings of Sun Ra 2nd ed.

 

Sub Underground (1974)

1. Cosmo - Earth fantasy    21:26 

2. Love is for always    6:49 

3. The song of drums    6:07 

4. The world of Africa    3:03

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Another amazing LP rip courtesy of our friend, Paul W.
Originally posted 18 January 2011

2nd Chance: Sun Ra - Somewhere Else (1989)

Four different groups led by Sun Ra are featured on this intriguing if generally ragged set. Although Ra's usual band members of the period appear on most of the cuts (including singer June Tyson, trumpeter Michael Ray, altoist Marshall Allen and tenor saxophonist John Gilmore), this CD also has many musicians one would not expect in this setting during 1988-89: drummer Billy Higgins, trombonist Julian Priester, Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, altoist James Spaulding and (briefly out of retirement) trumpeter Tommy Turrentine. The ensembles perform some typically eccentric Ra compositions, including "Stardust for Tomorrow," "Love In Outer Space" and "Hole In the Sky," in bands ranging from four (the unusual quartet of Cherry, Spaulding, Ra and singer Tyson) to 22 pieces. Due to the variety and very interesting personnel, plus many examples of the keyboardist/leader stretching himself, this somewhat obscure effort is easily recommended to Sun Ra collectors. 

AMG Review by Scott Yanow

This CD is or should be significant to Sun Ra listeners. It constitutes one of Sun Ra's last studio sessions prior to his first in a series of strokes which ended his earthly life on May 30, 1993.  While one can quibble with such fancifully detached notions as whether this represents the best value for the money, the true worth of the album resides in several other non-material dimensions.  For example, the arrangement of "Somewhere Else" played here is very different in feeling and tone than that offered on the album My Brother the Wind, Vol. II. 

Apart from this, the tone, touch, and strength that Sun Ra displays in his piano playing, illustrates why he must be considered among the very greatest innovators, composers and arrangers ever produced by the music. His versatility and accessibility in a number of different "idioms" of so called Jazz is completely unparalleled by anyone in Jazz history including the Titans like Ellington, Henderson, Monk, Mingus, Coltrane, and others.

The real Treasure of this release however is "A Hole in the Sky". Don Cherry (Pocket Trumpet), Marshall Allen (Alto), Pat Patrick (Alto) [incorrect, see below] complemented and spurred by Sun Ra's energy and drive on synthesizer really paint a vivid picture of the range of new energies and new possibilities that might positively and supra-energetically flow into our lives if a figurative "Hole in the Sky" were opened. By the way listen carefully to the propulsively energetic ensemble drumming (Bugs Hunter, Luqman Ali, Lex Humphries or Samarai Walker) in this composition, it is among the very best you are likely to hear for quite a while.

Another sleeper here is "Everything is Space". This tune was previously released on a limited addition printed by the band during the mid-seventies. As with Somewhere Else it represents a very different treatment than the initial release.

On a bottom line basis, this CD not only contains histroical and artistic treasures, but also illustrates the fact that Sun Ra NEVER did a composition the same way twice. Among his many other musical virtues this characteristic places him in a class by himself. 

Amazon review by "Astro-Black" 

Somewhere Else Parts 1 and 2

597. [398] Sun Ra

Blue Delight /
Somewhere Else

Sun Ra (p, syn); Fred Adams (tp); Tommy Turrentine (tp); Ahmed Abdullah (tp); Al Evans (flg, Fr hn); Tyrone Hill (tb); Julian Priester (tb); Marshall Allen (as, fl, ob, cl in A); Noël Scott (as, perc); John Gilmore (ts, cl, timb); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, fl, bgo); Eloe Omoe (bcl, as, cacl, perc); James Jacson (bsn, fl, Inf-d); Bruce Edwards (eg); Carl LeBlanc (eg - all solos); John Ore (b); Billy Higgins (d); Earl "Buster" Smith (d); Elson Nascimento (surdo grande, perc); Jaribu Shahid [Ben Henderson] (voc -1); Tani Tabbal (voc -1).

Variety Recording Studios, NYC, December 5, 1988

Love in Outer Space (Ra)
Everything is Space (Ra) -1

598. [399] Sun Ra

Somewhere Else

Julian Priester (tb -1); Sun Ra (p, syn); John Ore (b); Jaribu Shahid [Ben Henderson] (b); Billy Higgins (d); Earl "Buster" Smith (d). 

same session

Priest (Ra) -1
Tristar (Ra)

639. [421] Sun Ra

Purple Night /
Somewhere Else

Sun Ra (p, syn, voc); Don Cherry (pocket tp); Fred Adams (tp); Michael Ray (tp, voc); Ahmed Abdullah (tp, voc); Jothan Callins (tp); Al Evans (tp, flg); Tyrone Hill (tb); Julian Priester (tb); James Spaulding (as, fl); Marshall Allen (as, fl, perc); John Gilmore (ts, timb, voc); Reynold Scott (bars, fl); James Jacson (bsn, Inf-d); Rollo Radford (eb); John Ore (b); Earl C. "Buster" Smith (d); Samarai Celestial (d); Thomas "Bugs" Hunter (d); Elson Nascimento (surdo grande, perc); Jorge Silva (repinique, perc); June Tyson (voc, vln).

BMG Studios, NYC, mid-November 1989

Discipline/Tall Trees in the Sun (Ra)
'SWonderful (Gershwin)
Hole in the Sky (Ra)
Somewhere Else Part 1 (Ra)
Somewhere Else Part 2 (Ra)
Stardust from Tomorrow (Ra) [JT voc]

from The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

S o m e w h e r e   E l s e

1.    Priest                    4:07
 2.    Discipline / Tall Trees In The Sun    8:29
 3.    'S Wonderful                5:36
 4.    Hole In The Sky                7:34
 5.    Somewhere Else, Part 1            8:42
 6.    Somewhere Else, Part 2            2:41
 7.    Stardust For Tomorrow            4:59
 8.    Love In Outer Space            12:04
 9.    Everything Is Space            4:00
10.    Tristar                    3:33

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Check comments in these related posts for new links!

Purple Night
Blue Delight (2nd Chance)

2nd Chance: Sun Ra - Blue Delight (1989)

Blue Delight is a great late-period Arkestra recording, notable for several reasons: 1. This is a very large, impeccably recorded Arkestra featuring special guests Tommy Turrentine and Don Cherry* AND a number of Arkestra alumni returning for the date. 2. Although synthesizers are present, the majority of Ra's solos are on piano. 3. John Gilmore solos on nearly every cut. 4. The band swings mightily from start to finish. Blue Delight also features a program of a handful of standards mixed with Ra originals that don't head too far into outer space. Although this recording is out of print, it is well-worth seeking out.
AMG Review by Sean Westergaard

*There is no reference to Don Cherry playing on this release in either the CD liner notes or in Campbell / Trent.

 
Sunrise

597. [398] Sun Ra

Blue Delight / Somewhere Else

Sun Ra (p, syn); Fred Adams (tp); Tommy Turrentine (tp); Ahmed Abdullah (tp); Al Evans (flg, Fr hn); Tyrone Hill (tb); Julian Priester (tb); Marshall Allen (as, fl, ob, cl in A); Noël Scott (as, perc); John Gilmore (ts, cl, timb); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, fl, bgo); Eloe Omoe (bcl, as, cacl, perc); James Jacson (bsn, fl, Inf-d); Bruce Edwards (eg); Carl LeBlanc (eg - all solos); John Ore (b); Billy Higgins (d); Earl "Buster" Smith (d); Elson Nascimento (surdo grande, perc).

Variety Recording Studios, NYC, December 5, 1988

Blue Delight (1989)

1. Blue Delight   11:13
2. Out Of Nowhere   5:29
3. Sunrise   11:51
4. They Dwell On Other Planes   14:45
5. Gone With The Wind   5:53
6. Your Guest Is As Good As Mine   5:56
7. Nashira   4:11
8. Days Of Wine And Roses   6:58

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Check comments in these related posts for new links!

Purple Night

Somewhere Else

RePost: Sun Ra & Yo La Tengo - Nuclear War 12" Singles (1982) & (2002)

On March 28, 1979, a nuclear accident occurred in the reactor at Three Mile Island, less than 100 miles upwind from Philadelphia, and for a week there were evacuations and talk of nuclear disaster.  Sun Ra became very concerned that nuclear energy had gotten out of hand and in a rare antitechnological moment, he told everyone who would listen that solar power was the only sane and cheap form of energy, one that he had been proposing ever since he was a child.  His interviews over the next few years show his growing fear of the possibilities of nuclear apocalypse, and in the late 1980s he added pollution to his apprehensions, though it often served more as a metaphor for Earth's evils than as part of a political movement ("the planet's landlord will extract revenge for the misuse of the planet").  In 1982 he recorded "Nuclear War," becoming one of the first instances of protest rap...

Convinced he had a hit single, he took it to Columbia Records who showed no interest in it, and he finally sold it to Y Records in London who produced a twelve-inch single aimed at disco jocks.

from Space Is The Place - Szwed


 Y RA 1 Nuclear War was a 12-inch single issued in Britain in 1982.  A Fireside Chat with Lucifer and Celestial Love were released in 1983 and 1984 respectively.  Y RA 2 was slated for release in Britain under the title Rays from the Outer Tomorrow; it never appeared, but an Italian LP Y RA 2 was released in 1984 under the title Nuclear War. 
From The Earthly Recordings of Sun Ra 2nd ed.

Many THANKS to Vinylust for offering the FLAC copy of his original vinyl rip.

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Atavistic released Sun Ra's Nuclear War as part of their Unheard Music series in 2001.  In 2002, shortly after the Atavistic's reissue,  Indie Rock band Yo La Tengo released  a CD 'Single' that included four mixes of their own performance of the infectious title song. 

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Stylophone 350s at the amazing blog MUSIC*HERTZ was kind enough to offer us two more Nuclear War covers with this post.  Thanks Stylo!

Sun Ra - On Jupiter (1979)

On Jupiter is a great album recorded in 1979, about a year after Lanquidity. After easing in with the fairly brief title cut, a fairly mellow affair featuring June Tyson on vocals, listeners are treated to the all-out disco-funk of "U.F.O." Anchored by a monster bassline courtesy of Steve Clarke, this tune has fun ensemble vocals and great solos on guitar and tenor sax. This is as funky as Sun Ra ever got and really must be heard to be believed. Side two consists of "Seductive Fantasy," a lovely piece composed on top of a three-note bass ostinato that features lots of great piano from Ra and some interesting guitar sounds from either Skeeter McFarland or Taylor Richardson. John Gilmore gets plenty of room on this track as well and Luqman Ali's drumming is superb. This album is well worth picking up, but being one of those Saturn rarities makes it pretty difficult to do so.

AMG Review by Sean Westergaard

300. [243]  Sun Ra and his Arkestra

Sun Ra (keyb, voc); Eddie Gale (tp, voc); Michael Ray (tp, voc); Marshall Allen (as, perc, voc); John Gilmore (ts, perc, voc); poss. Julian Pressley (bars); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, voc); James Jacson (Inf-d, voc); Skeeter McFarland (eg); Taylor Richardson (eg); Steve Clarke (eb); Atakatune (cga, perc); Reg McDonald (d); June Tyson (voc).

Variety Recording Studio, NYC,
mid-to late May 1979

UFO (Ra-Clarke-Richardson) [ens voc]

El Saturn 101679, On Jupiter, was issued in 1979.  Some copies are known by the title Seductive Fantasy.  Samarai Celestial pointed out that this recording session predated "Seductive Fantasy" and "On Jupiter."  Personnel from Geerken's discography with corrections by Samarai and rlc.  Sun Ra told a member of the audience that he had "prepared a practice piece" for the May 5 concert in New Orleans (this can be heard on the tape).  The only previously unperformed piece on that tape was "UFO," and the vocal on that version was somewhat different from the vocal on this studio recording and subsequent concert performances.

 

312. [243a]  Sun Ra and his Arkestra

Sun Ra (p, org, keyb, voc); Eddie Gale (tp); Michael Ray (tp); Marshall Allen (as, fl, ob); John Gilmore (ts); poss. Julian Pressley (bars); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, fl); James Jacson (bsn, fl, Inf-d); Skeeter McFarland (eg); Taylor Richardson (eg); Richard Williams (b); Atakatune (cga, perc); Samarai Celestial [Eric Walker] (d); June Tyson (voc).

Variety Recording Studio, NYC,
October 16, 1979

On Jupiter (Ra) [ens voc]
Seductive Fantasy (Ra)

Samarai Celestial pointed out that "UFO" was recorded before he joined the band in July 1979, whereas these two items came from a later session.  Personnel from Geerken's discography with corrections by Samarai and rlc.

from Campbell/Trent  The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

On Jupiter

1. On Jupiter   3:59
2. UFO   8:36

3. Seductive Fantasy   12:45

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New Links in Comments!

 

I-) found these additional scans.  Many Thanks!!

Sun Ra - Sleeping Beauty (1979)

This is the great late-night Sun Ra chillout album you never knew about. The band had been working in a more groove-oriented setting off and on for over a year, as evidenced by the albums Lanquidity and On Jupiter, with both featuring prominent electric bass and electric guitar. Sleeping Beauty picks up right where On Jupiter left off, with the gentle, swaying "Springtime Again" echoing the same mellow vibe of "Seductive Fantasy" from On Jupiter. A skittering intro coalesces as different instruments pick up bits of the melody, which is then fully expressed by the horn section and ensemble vocals. It's a simple two-chord vamp, with beautiful solos that seem to embody the reawakening and rebirth of springtime. "The Door of the Cosmos" starts with a gospel-like chant and handclaps, with comments from Ra's electric piano and electric guitar. A strong bassline enters, very reminiscent of "A Love Supreme, Pt. 1: Acknowledgement," but the accompanying chant celebrates the mysteries of the unknown rather than the universal truth of A Love Supreme. This track builds in intensity, but never loses its groove or becomes nearly as raucous as the Arkestra is sometimes known for. "Sleeping Beauty" is the album centerpiece, taking up all of side two. Ra's beautiful electric piano gets things rolling, and the band falls into a peaceful groove before the vocals enter, led by the wonderful June Tyson. These songs are all built on the simplest of structures, and the playing from everyone is understated and sublime. Sleeping Beauty is truly a high point in an unwieldy discography, and something of an anomaly at the same time. There's a good reason copies of this album go for several hundred dollars on the collector's market, but it really deserves a proper release so more people can hear it. Outstanding.

AMG Review by Sean Westergaard

304. [240]  Sun Ra and his Arkestra

Sleeping Beauty/
Celestial Road

Sun Ra (p, ep, org, syn, voc); Michael Ray (tp, voc); Curt Pulliam (tp); Walter Miller (tp); Craig Harris (tb); Tony Bethel (tb); Vincent Chancey (Fr hn); Marshall Allen (as, fl); John Gilmore (ts, perc); James Jacson (fl, bsn, Inf-d); Eloe Omoe (bcl, fl, perc); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, fl, perc); Kenny Williams (ts, bars, fl); Noël Scott (as, bars, perc); Hutch Jones (as, ts); Sylvester Baton (rds); Skeeter McFarland (eg); Taylor Richardson (eg); Steve Clarke (eb); Richard Williams (b); Harry Wilson (vib); Damon Choice (vib, voc); Eddie Thomas (d); Luqman Ali (d); Reg McDonald (d); Atakatune (perc); June Tyson (voc); Rhoda Blount (voc).

Variety Recording Studio, NYC,
June 1979

Springtime Again (Ra) [SR, Jt, DC, MR voc]
Door of the Cosmos (Ra) [SR, JT, DC, MR voc]
Sleeping Beauty (Ra) [SR, JT, DC, MR voc]
Celestial Road (Ra) [ens voc]
Say (Ra)
I'll Wait for You (Ra) [ens voc]

Saturn 79, Sleeping Beauty, was released in 1979.  It is also sometimes known as Door of the Cosmos.  The matrix numbers are 11-1-79A and B.  The personnel previously listed for this LP was inaccurate; the personnel list for Strange Celestial Road is more reliable.

Samarai Celestial said that this album was made before he joined the band and that Eddie Thomas was the drummer (Thomas is the only musician here who was not mentioned in the notes to Strange Celestial Road).  Damon Choice says that the vocals were done by Sun Ra, June Tyson, and himself, with a likely contribution from Michael Ray, who helped with the mixing.

Rounder 3035, Strange Celestial Road, was issued in 1982; issues on Y 19 in Great Britain and on Virgin 201919 appeared in the same year.  All titles reissued on Rounder 3035 [CD] in 1988.  All information from the album jacket, except that it gives no specifics on the instruments played in the reed section and mentions no date.  Because "Strange Celestial Road" was performed at Moers on June 4, 1979, and the personnel is similar (Hutch Jones and Curt Pulliam were both from Philadelphia and joined the band for some months in 1979), our best guess is summer 199.  Samarai Celestial says that then album was made shortly before he joined the band (i.e., before late July).

An edited version of "Celestial Road" (the first 5-6 min.) appeared on an LP sampler called Birth of the Y (Y 33 1/3) released in 1982 (thanks to Steve Fligelstone for this information).

Formerly, Sleeping Beauty and Strange Celestial Road were listed as separate sessions, but Damon Choice says both were made at the same session, and the vocals overdubbed later.

from Campbell/Trent The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Myth Science Solar Arkestra
Sleeping Beauty

1. Springtime Again   9:17
2. Door of the Cosmos   9:00
3. Sleeping Beauty   11:51

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This one is not my rip or my artwork but I've grown tired of waiting for my CD to show up in the mail and I thought this would be a nice follow-up to Strange Celestial Road so I wanted to post it sooner than later.  Many thanks to the original up-loader and to whomever uploaded

the pics.

Sun Ra - Strange Celestial Road (1979)

The band Sun Ra had at the end of the '70s was surely the funkiest he ever had, with electric bassist Steve Clarke (in tandem with upright player Richard Williams) and the twin guitars of Taylor Richardson and Skeeter McFarland. This is the band that recorded the infamous On Jupiter album, and the slightly different band lineup for Sleeping Beauty (recorded just two weeks later) suggests that Strange Celestial Road was recorded between the two, based on the hybrid band lineup. "Celestial Road" kicks things off, where electric bass, arco bass and wah-wah guitar set the stage for a great June Tyson vocal and then solos from John Gilmore, Michael Ray, Sun Ra, and Damon Choice on vibes. "Say" has a great electric bassline and joyous horn charts, and swings mightily with a vaguely Latin rhythm. There's a fine electric guitar solo, as well as some more fantastic playing from Gilmore. Ra's keyboard sounds and soloing are particularly deranged on this album, but never get into the purely noisy realm. "I'll Wait for You" is the real treat of this album, featuring a great mellow groove and wonderful ensemble vocals led by the beautiful June Tyson. There's plenty of fine soloing on this track as well, but the main attraction is the mix by Ra and Michael Ray. There's a dub-like element to the way the instruments and voices are treated and mixed in and out, but this is dub by way of Saturn, and the mix is at least as weird and wonderful as anything Lee Perry has done. This is an overlooked album in an unwieldy discography, but it's a real gem and the fact that it's on the Rounder label should make it easier to find than many of the Arkestra's other albums. Recommended.

AMG Review by Sean Westergaard

304. [240]  Sun Ra and his Arkestra

Sleeping Beauty/
Celestial Road

Sun Ra (p, ep, org, syn, voc); Michael Ray (tp, voc); Curt Pulliam (tp); Walter Miller (tp); Craig Harris (tb); Tony Bethel (tb); Vincent Chancey (Fr hn); Marshall Allen (as, fl); John Gilmore (ts, perc); James Jacson (fl, bsn, Inf-d); Eloe Omoe (bcl, fl, perc); Danny Ray Thompson (bars, fl, perc); Kenny Williams (ts, bars, fl); Noël Scott (as, bars, perc); Hutch Jones (as, ts); Sylvester Baton (rds); Skeeter McFarland (eg); Taylor Richardson (eg); Steve Clarke (eb); Richard Williams (b); Harry Wilson (vib); Damon Choice (vib, voc); Eddie Thomas (d); Luqman Ali (d); Reg McDonald (d); Atakatune (perc); June Tyson (voc); Rhoda Blount (voc).

Variety Recording Studio, NYC,
June 1979

Springtime Again (Ra) [SR, Jt, DC, MR voc]
Door of the Cosmos (Ra) [SR, JT, DC, MR voc]
Sleeping Beauty (Ra) [SR, JT, DC, MR voc]
Celestial Road (Ra) [ens voc]
Say (Ra)
I'll Wait for You (Ra) [ens voc]

Saturn 79, Sleeping Beauty, was released in 1979.  It is also sometimes known as Door of the Cosmos.  The matrix numbers are 11-1-79A and B.  The personnel previously listed for this LP was inaccurate; the personnel list for Strange Celestial Road is more reliable.

Samarai Celestial said that this album was made before he joined the band and that Eddie Thomas was the drummer (Thomas is the only musician here who was not mentioned in the notes to Strange Celestial Road).  Damon Choice says that the vocals were done by Sun Ra, June Tyson, and himself, with a likely contribution from Michael Ray, who helped with the mixing.

Rounder 3035, Strange Celestial Road, was issued in 1982; issues on Y 19 in Great Britain and on Virgin 201919 appeared in the same year.  All titles reissued on Rounder 3035 [CD] in 1988.  All information from the album jacket, except that it gives no specifics on the instruments played in the reed section and mentions no date.  Because "Strange Celestial Road" was performed at Moers on June 4, 1979, and the personnel is similar (Hutch Jones and Curt Pulliam were both from Philadelphia and joined the band for some months in 1979), our best guess is summer 199.  Samarai Celestial says that then album was made shortly before he joined the band (i.e., before late July).

An edited version of "Celestial Road" (the first 5-6 min.) appeared on an LP sampler called Birth of the Y (Y 33 1/3) released in 1982 (thanks to Steve Fligelstone for this information).

Formerly, Sleeping Beauty and Strange Celestial Road were listed as separate sessions, but Damon Choice says both were made at the same session, and the vocals overdubbed later. 

from Campbell/Trent The Earthly Recordings 2nd ed.

Strange Celestial Road

1.  Celestial Road   7:07
2.  Say   12:12
3.  I'll Wait For You   16:05

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