I’ve listened to Sun Ra sparingly through the years and been mostly into his early work. But since exploring the 70’s a lot during the last year this title from 1978 is right up my alley. Released on the small Philadelphia based label Philly Jazz. Recorded in it’s entirety during one night.
I got a note that this was for sale, so I streamed it and listened to it intently for the last week or so, and I must say, this is a brilliant album. It has really pulled me in and I can already say, that for me, this is a definite highlight when it comes to 70’s jazz. It blends of all kinds of flavors; spiritual, avant-garde, funk, jazz fusion. It makes for a lovely concoction that warrants repeated listening.
We have a large group here with some familiar names like Eddie Gale on trumpet, Marshall Allen on alto sax, oboe and flute, John Gilmore on tenor sax, to name but a few. This group creates beautiful soundscapes, funk-driven grooves, spiritual pieces and a cohesive understanding of what the different tunes need and the execution formula is impeccable.
Sun Ra plays many different instruments on this one; Fender Rhodes, ARP, Yamaha organ, Hammond B3 organ, Moog, acoustic piano, bells and keyboard. His genius is apparent.
I’m aiming to dive deeper into Sun Ra’s catalogue and try to navigate through the plethora of releases he recorded. Who knows, someday I’ll perhaps find myself throwing an original El Saturn on the turntable.
Very much recommended.