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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MF1 + MF2 + MF3

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Purple Night
Blue Delight (2nd Chance)

Sun Ra - The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra Vol 2 (1966)

Although the "Vol. 2" in the title insinuates some degree of continuity with its predecessor, this is a bit of a misnomer as the only acknowledged connection with The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Vol. 1 (the volume number only indicating the order in which they were issued). Due in part to the wider exposure and distribution of the ESP label, enthusiasts and critics were unanimous in their recognition of this masterpiece of free jazz -- or, as Ra called it, "space jazz." The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Vol. 2 is comprised of three unique compositions: "The Sun Myth," "A House of Beauty," and "Cosmic Chaos." Sun Ra's work with an ensemble often presents a stated emphasis on the percussive nature of solos as well as within the group context. The underlying freeform anti-structure allows defining contrasts that ultimately establish the progressing sonic sculpture. "The Sun Myth" showcases Ra's definitive capabilities to guide his assembled musicians from anywhere within said group. He is heard on this recording initiating improvisational exchanges on tuned bongos -- for a portion of the track -- rather than from his customary keyboards. The resulting interactions include mesmerizing bass solos from Ronnie Boykins as well as some impassioned alto sax work from Marshall Allen. Directly contrasting the works that surround it is "A House of Beauty." The emphasis shifts, juxtaposing Allen's unfettered piccolo solos with Ra on piano and Robert Cumming on bass clarinet. Of particular note here are Ra's achingly lyrical piano runs and chord progressions, which weave between the light percussion beds and the dominant woodwind section. "Cosmic Chaos" is the final and most archetypal of the ensemble works that Ra and his various Arkestras would produce throughout the '60s. The extended piece begins with rush upon rush of aggressive counterpoint, building into unreserved group crescendos that are likewise punctuated by various woodwind soloists.

AMG Review by Lindsay Planer

On The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra Volume 2, Ra and his Solar Arkestra stretch out and really explore. Recorded nearly 7 months after its predecessor, with a somewhat different line-up of instruments, Vol. 2 trades Vol. 1's more subdued approach for a generally louder, more extroverted excursion. Things get underway with the mournful, bowed bass and wild, untamed percussion of the nearly 18-minute long The Sun Myth. As the exploration continues, deep piano rumbles and crazy high-end brass swirls in spinning vortices through swells of deeper brass, building to climaxes, falling off into spacious emptiness, forming into rhythmic passages that then dissolve into free form chaos again. Finally the piece eases into deep, organic bass tones, quieter cymbal crashes and slow, mysterious and spacey swells of brass to finish things off. A House of Beauty is the only shorter piece on the album, but still manages to range from a free form beginning of shrieking piccolo and stabbing bass to almost ballad style piano jazz and back again. The nearly 15-minute long Cosmic Chaos is a dazzling free form workout, although this is not totally free form. Under Sun Ra's guidance, the Arkestra were masters of emergent rhythms, tying together explosive freak-outs to quieter solo sections with seductively rhythmic passages. Ra also utilizes reverb effects on this one to create some truly cosmic stretches of sound through the middle, with weird, spacey jangling percussion punctuated with dry and bouncing tuned bongos. Truly cosmic jazz!

from an Aural Innovations dot com Review by Jeff Fitzgerald

These sessions were recorded at a pivotal time for the Arkestra. After Sun Ra moved from Chicago to New York in 1961, his albums became increasingly more dissonant, adventurous, and free, penetrating deeper into the spatial motifs that, by 1964’s Other Planes of There, finally begin abandoning the strong archaic imprint of Ra’s mentor Fletcher Henderson and living up to Ra’s “space jazz” concept. 1965, the year of the Heliocentric Worlds session, was also when Coltrane departed from the quartet and formed larger band not unlike Ra’s, developing a concern for cosmic transcendence, and playing on a more dissonant plane on long free albums such as Ascension and Om. Coltrane helped achieve his new sound with young stars of the free jazz scene like Archie Shepp, Pharaoh Sanders, and Freddie Hubbard, the Arkestra’s new East Village neighbors at the time. Ra, however, didn’t infuse his unit with new blood, but instead created his contemporary sounds with John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, and a few more members of his old Chicago cast – pushing together into new galaxies, all the while showing the hip free youngsters that, beneath their wild costumes, theatrics, and unusual concept, the Arkestra could run with the best of ‘em.

Heliocentric Worlds Volume 2 contains the long suites “The Sun Myth” and “Cosmic Chaos” with a shorty, “House of Beauty” stuck in the middle (first song, second side on the LP). The “Sun Myth,” introduced by some sophisticated bowed bass work by Boykin, turns on its head when the bongos and cymbals collide against it in random patterns. As the percussion intensifies, a long series of passages begin that feature exciting solos by Gilmore and Allen. “House of Beauty” is a sparse ugly beauty clearly from another realm whose highlights include Ra’s clavoline and piano, more classically informed bowed bass, and Allen’s piccolo fluttering like a PCP butterfly. After it fades out it descends into the aptly titled “Cosmic Chaos.” This one really moves and winds up with a generous helping of Gilmore in top form - stealing the show with his vast vocabulary of frantic bursts and runs alone and accompanied. Though it’s a bit more erratic and meandering than the other numbers, it’s the one with a big finish.

via

119. 106]  Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra

The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra Volume 2

Sun Ra (Clavioline, p, tuned bgos); Walter Miller (tp); Marshall Allen (as, fl, picc); John Gilmore (ts); Pat Patrick (bars, fl); Robert Cummings (bcl); Ronnie Boykins (b); Roger Blank (d, perc).

RLA Sound Studios, NYC,
November 16, 1965

The Sun Myth (Ra)
A House of Beauty (Ra) [pic, Clav, b only]
Cosmic Chaos (Ra)

Originally issued in 1966 on ESP-Disk' 1017, The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra volume 2.  According to Henry Weld, it was also available on ESP 8-track tapes in the 1970s.

There have been many reissues: Fontana STL 5499 (1970s), Base ESPS-1017 (Italy, 1981), Boots 2406 (1982), and on CD, German ZYX ESP 1017 from 1992 and Japanese ESP TKCZ-79116.  Bootleg reissues on Explosive 538.108(French, c. 1970), Happy Bird B 90132 (German 1983, with the title The Sun Myth), and Magic Music 30012 (German CD, 1990, with the same title).  Some tracks bootlegged on French Monkey MY 40 014 (1970s).  According to Mark Webber, a 45-second excerpt from "A House of Beauty" was included as track 16, Side B, on the ESP Sampler, ESP-Disk' 1051, around 1967.

A bootleg LP reissue of Heliocentric Worlds Vol. 2 recently appeared in Italy on Get Back GET 1005.

"The Sun Myth" has been mastered three different ways!  Thanks to Victor Schonfield and Julian Vein for contributing research on this vexed matter.

1) The original release of ESP-Disk' 1017 (mono and stereo) had African singing throughout the piece, mixed as loud as the instrumental parts.  This version had (in mono) "ESP 1017A" and "152" as matrix numbers.  Some copies of 1017B with the 152 suffix were issued with a second version of 1017A (on these no changes were made to Side B, i.e., "A House of Beauty" and "Cosmic Chaos").

[If anyone could share the above version, I would LOVE to hear it!  Thanks, yotte] 

2) The original release was quickly withdrawn, and replaced with a more common variant in which the African voices are mixed way down and can be faintly heard at the beginning and end of "The Sun Myth."  This was marked (in the stereo version) EsPS1017A-A(68), ANM967, and DBH.

3) The final remastering removed the African voices entirely.  James Wolf has found a mono ESP-Disk' pressing with no voices and the matrix indications ESPM1017A-1, ORT-2, and DBH.  The last pressings on the original ESP-Disk' label used this final mastering, as did all subsequent reissues, authorized or bogus, including the German ZYX CD from 1992.

The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra Volume 2
(LP Rip)

1. The Sun Myth   17:48
2. A House Of Beauty   4:45

3. Cosmic Chaos   14:49

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HF

The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra Volume 2
(CD Rip)

1. The Sun Myth   18:21
2. A House Of Beauty   4:55
3. Cosmic Chaos   15:13

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MF

or

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MF

In 2010 ESP Disk' reissued all three Heliocentric Worlds volumes in a single 3-CD package.  The reissue includes several photos, critical writings, and the 1968 documentary "Spaceways."

Heliocentric Bonus Material

RS

HF1 + HF2

Heliocentric Worlds (Vol 1)

 

Thanks to I-) for scouring the web and sharing the following images!

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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MF1 + MF2 + MF3

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Purple Night

Somewhere Else