Sun Ra Music

Placing this brilliant collection of free jazz, avant-garde performances in the context of the original album release in 1966 simply enhances the genius of Sun Ra.

The horn section is particularly impressive on Dancing Shadows, with the CD reissue including the bonus tracks Velvet, Outer Nothingness and We Travel the Spaceways.

There is something here and it transcends Sun Ra. It is an essential CD for those who truly believe in the potential of music as holistic art.

In 1966, Sun Ra took his Arkestra on the road touring New York state colleges. The shows were recorded by ESP-Disk for release, eventually being issued as "Nothing Is...". Sun Ra's music, already rather advanced, had incorporated much of the free jazz sounds he was hearing in New York, and this set captures the band at in all its glory.

One of the things that makes this record so fantastic is its inherently contradictory nature-- much of it is given over to Sun Ra's piano explorations, but his playing is tame, almost loungey (albeit brilliant). Typically chants are intoned by the Arkestra over his playing and the pieces blow open into loosely structured improvs for which only Archie Shepp's term "Fire Music" can readily apply. Moments of particular note include Sun Ra's lovely playing on "Sun Ra and His Band from Outer Space", a brilliant inside-out tenor solo courtesy of John Gilmore on "Dancing Shadows" (wherein Gilmore makes his case for being the unsung hero of the tenor sax) and a simply lovely oboe solo by (I think) Marshall Allen on Middle Eastern tinged "Exotic Forest".

The 2005 ESP-Disk reissue, like the other albums in this recent set of reissues, is augmented by about 25 minutes of additional material, all of which is quite as good as the originally issued work, features crisp, clean sound, although the recording itself is a bit quiet and includes a brief uncredited essay and some poetry from Sun Ra in the liner notes.

For Sun Ra fans, this is a critical and essential release, for those new to Ra or the curious, if you approach with a free jazz background, this is probably as good a place to start as any, highly recommended.

Recorded in 1982 and unsuccessfully marketed to major jazz labels, this forgotten gem had a very limited release two years later. The session tapes were lost or destroyed, hence the CD is remastered from vinyl.

The title track runs the gamut of emotions, as the infectious beat and Sub Ra's rap delivers an urgent message of reality by facing the dangerous games played by political powers and those striving for entrance into that club.

Retrospect has a slow and moody texture, but is a very accessible musical piece. The cover of Duke Ellington's Drop Me Off in Harlem is outstanding and the big-band swing in Nameless One #2 is a great change of pace. But it is the vocals of June Tyson - Sometimes I'm Happy, Smile - that takes the album to tremendous heights.

The Outer Space Arkestra is well-grounded in soul and jazz, with Sun Ra showing that he can work within a less experimental framework, but still deliver a timeless classic.

plenty of great sun ra stuff here. there are some slight avant-garde leanings to this album, but it is all very accessible. john gilmore's incredible tenor saxophone work is on fine display throughout the set, and sun ra's piano, organ, and synthesizer work are inventive and enjoyable beginning to end. it's a joy to find another sun ra recording that is definitely going to stick around in my music collection (not all of them do). i highly recommend this to you jazz fans out there.

This is one of the most accessible recordings by Sun Ra (formerly refused by a major like Columbia) but the Maestro is in total command of his art and the Arkestra in full glory! So if you need one essential recording of their eighties output this is it...Anyway there's no experimental free music here but mostly beautiful synth/organ driven grooves in a space-jazz context, very listenable and full of ideas. The title track, originally issued as a 12" maxi-single on the Y label (UK) is a pure masterpiece of black popular art: a sort of jazz-hip hop anthem sung by Ra that was a classic in the Arkestra live sets during the eighties (see "Live at Praxis 84" or the "Mystery Mr.Ra" video) inspiring later recordings like Guru's Jazzmatazz and others. The cover versions here are fantastic examples of how Ra & his Arkestra could send Duke Ellington or Charlie Chaplin flying on a magic carpet! And now the bad news: the source is the original vinyl and not exactly in the mint condition. The problem is that obviously we are not talking about a low-fi acetate from the 20's but a 1982 recording; even the original Saturn masters from the late fifties sound great (see the Evidence discs). The liner notes say that the Unhear Music Series used the best possible LP for this remastering. The cd label is a replica of the Italian LP label and you can even read "Distribuzione Dischi Ricordi" on the cover. It's a real mystery (or a spell by Mr.Ra himself?) that the masters don't exist anymore because Ricordi (now BMG) was one of the biggest Italian labels, publishings & distributors not exactly a small indie company. A strange fact indeed: this is the only reason I gave it 4 stars...
I can only add that as usual with Ra this great black music stands above all technical imperfections and even if you're not a big fan you'll find Nuclear War a real pleasure!

... I suspect it would open some ears!

In 1982, Sun Ra thought he had a hit on his hands. He went to Columbia Records with a bizarre nearly eight minute recording called "Nuclear War", featuring a piano trio over playing some lilting jazz over which SUn Ra intoned lyrics rife with vulgarity ("nuclear war / it's a motherf***** / don't you know / if they push that button / your a** got to go") in a time, pointed out in the liner notes, before gangsta rap made it commercially acceptable to do so. Of course, Columbia rejected it and Ra went with an indie British label. That recording, alng with its b-side (the lovely "Sometimes I'm Happy") and several other recordings, make up this release.

What's probably most amazing is how commercially viable this is, seeped largely in swing tradition. Even "Nuclear War", vulgarity aside, is really a commercial sound. The other real standout on this collection is the Ellington cover "Drop Me Off in Harlem", featuring fantastic organ playing from Sun Ra and some great collective work from the orchestra.

All in all, one of the best of the Sun Ra releases I own (about two dozen) and well worth the investment. Highly recommended.

Nuclear War was originally a 12-inch single that Sun Ra thought was going to be a hit. But a track filled with foul language wasn't going to fly with mainstream America during the early 80's. Eventually the disc was pressed but only a few copies hit the streets. Years later, this single (along with a lot of rare Sun Ra music) was finally released with several other original tracks and a handful of covers.

The title track (Nuclear War) has to be the best song ever recorded about the subject matter. It's straight and to the point about the severity of a thermonuclear conflict. Duke Ellington's "Drop Me off in Harlem" and Charles Chaplin "Smile" are some of the other high lights from this disc. You'll be singing Nuclear War in no time. Just remember, whatcha gonna do without yo' a$$? Nuclear War's a mother
f.....! Don't you know?

Highly recommended, Sun Ra's the man!

A tough live gem to find, it was originally released as a 7-inch EP and chronicles a portion of the band's first appearance in Europe.

The highlight is The Cosmic Explorer, as Sun Ra deliver a tour-de-force on keyboards and arguably his best work ever captured in concert. Enlightenment is a subtle beginning, with the vocal duet of June Tyson and John Gilmore. The Star Gazers has a wonderful piano solo from Sun Ra and Shadow World allows the ensemble to stretch out and explore a free jazz platform.

First issued in 1970, it shows the genius of Sun Ra making leaps into artistry that remains astounding and beautiful.

I remember picking up the vinyl issue of this on the 'Recommended' label back in 81'. A dense black Gatefold cover with Sun Ra etched in silver encircled by stars, the Vinyl cover really depicted the otherworldliness (pardon my English) of the albums final track 'Cosmic Explorer' which contains THE most unbelievable Organ solo (pardon my English deux) you will ever hear. Beginning low and slow 'Sun Ra's' fingers pick the keys out in a totally messed up fashion. Freestyle Jazz at its most intense it gradually picks up leading into a world-colliding crescendo of sound that'll leave you speechless. The whole thing is an experience in itself. It is actually pretty exhausting to listen to and definitely not the sort of thing you should have playing in the background when your girlfriend/boyfriend comes over for a cup of tea. The violent clash of fingers & keys in the 20 odd minutes this track runs is truly awesome & otherworldly which I'm sure is what 'Sun Ra' had in mind hence the title 'Cosmic Explorer'. Never was the Moog put to such good use. To be honest I can't remember the other tracks but rest assured I shall be getting the CD version to reacquaint myself with this surreal and unique trip again on those days in my life when I'm feeling brave enough to join Sun Ra on his unique trip to the Stars & beyond.

Sun Ra has always been ahead of his times, but it is safe to say that by 1970, when this cd was recorded, the times had at least
closed the gap. So, this album definitely has that loose, late-60's, early 70's feel to it.

The opening tracks, Enlightment and Star Gazers are vocal duets between June Tyson and a male vocalist (perhaps John Gilmore). They are cute and somewhat catchy. Track 3 is a nice, free-jazz type of jam.

However, the highlight of this album, and what makes it really worth buying, is the final track, which is a 20-minute moog synth solo by Sun Ra. I swear you can hear the unviverse taking shape in it. Once again the Sun Ra doesn't fail to mesmerize.

A tough live gem to find, it was originally released as a 7-inch EP and chronicles a portion of the band's first appearance in Europe.

The highlight is The Cosmic Explorer, as Sun Ra deliver a tour-de-force on keyboards and arguably his best work ever captured in concert. Enlightenment is a subtle beginning, with the vocal duet of June Tyson and John Gilmore. The Star Gazers has a wonderful piano solo from Sun Ra and Shadow World allows the ensemble to stretch out and explore a free jazz platform.

First issued in 1970, it shows the genius of Sun Ra making leaps into artistry that remains astounding and beautiful.

I remember picking up the vinyl issue of this on the 'Recommended' label back in 81'. A dense black Gatefold cover with Sun Ra etched in silver encircled by stars, the Vinyl cover really depicted the otherworldliness (pardon my English) of the albums final track 'Cosmic Explorer' which contains THE most unbelievable Organ solo (pardon my English deux) you will ever hear. Beginning low and slow 'Sun Ra's' fingers pick the keys out in a totally messed up fashion. Freestyle Jazz at its most intense it gradually picks up leading into a world-colliding crescendo of sound that'll leave you speechless. The whole thing is an experience in itself. It is actually pretty exhausting to listen to and definitely not the sort of thing you should have playing in the background when your girlfriend/boyfriend comes over for a cup of tea. The violent clash of fingers & keys in the 20 odd minutes this track runs is truly awesome & otherworldly which I'm sure is what 'Sun Ra' had in mind hence the title 'Cosmic Explorer'. Never was the Moog put to such good use. To be honest I can't remember the other tracks but rest assured I shall be getting the CD version to reacquaint myself with this surreal and unique trip again on those days in my life when I'm feeling brave enough to join Sun Ra on his unique trip to the Stars & beyond.

Sun Ra has always been ahead of his times, but it is safe to say that by 1970, when this cd was recorded, the times had at least
closed the gap. So, this album definitely has that loose, late-60's, early 70's feel to it.

The opening tracks, Enlightment and Star Gazers are vocal duets between June Tyson and a male vocalist (perhaps John Gilmore). They are cute and somewhat catchy. Track 3 is a nice, free-jazz type of jam.

However, the highlight of this album, and what makes it really worth buying, is the final track, which is a 20-minute moog synth solo by Sun Ra. I swear you can hear the unviverse taking shape in it. Once again the Sun Ra doesn't fail to mesmerize.

Initially released in 1970 as a 7-inch EP, this is the second of two recordings that capture the band in its first European performance.

Friendly Galaxy Number 2 has a sweet mid-tempo, while electric bass player Alan Silva stars on Spontaneous Simplicity. The World of the Lightening strikes a cool beat that charges up the audience, but its the beautiful vocal expressions of June Tyson on a series of titled entitled Black Myth that is an electrifying highlight, with Sky being a shining musical conclusion to the collection.

An oftentimes tough find, the CD shows the genius of Sun Ra in a new venue and leading an incredible artistic show in front of appreciative fans.

Great moment the arkestra touring europe for the first time impressing the hell out of the audience, great feeling to the whole show, very atmospheric, amazing sounds and instrumental exuberance. Great moog solo by sun ra. Highly recommended for both begginers and die-hard fans
Read also the amazing stories behind these live recordings in Swede's biography of sun ra

Initially released in 1970 as a 7-inch EP, this is the second of two recordings that capture the band in its first European performance.

Friendly Galaxy Number 2 has a sweet mid-tempo, while electric bass player Alan Silva stars on Spontaneous Simplicity. The World of the Lightening strikes a cool beat that charges up the audience, but its the beautiful vocal expressions of June Tyson on a series of titled entitled Black Myth that is an electrifying highlight, with Sky being a shining musical conclusion to the collection.

An oftentimes tough find, the CD shows the genius of Sun Ra in a new venue and leading an incredible artistic show in front of appreciative fans.

Great moment the arkestra touring europe for the first time impressing the hell out of the audience, great feeling to the whole show, very atmospheric, amazing sounds and instrumental exuberance. Great moog solo by sun ra. Highly recommended for both begginers and die-hard fans
Read also the amazing stories behind these live recordings in Swede's biography of sun ra