A great
run of 80s work from Sun Ra – and some of his best-known records from the time!
First up is Reflections In Blue – a later classic from Sun Ra – a record that
bears one of his most beautiful cover shots ever! The record's got a
wonderfully tight feel – a sound that's often not as out as Saturn sides, and
which shows Ra's ability to lead a larger ensemble with a very complex sound –
drawing on Ellingtonish roots, but inflecting them with his own space-tuned
sensibilities! Players include Tyrone Hill on trombone, Pat Patrick on alto and
clarinet, Marshall Allen on alto and flute, John Gilmore on tenor and clarinet,
and James Jacson on bassoon and african drums – and Ra himself plays synth as
well as piano. Titles include "Yesterdays", "Say It Isn't
So", and the originals "State Street Chicago" and
"Reflections In Blue".
Hours After is a strange little late record
from Sun Ra – late night, soulful and bluesy, with a sound that's in keeping
with the traditionalism of the late Arkestra! The group's an all-star one – Pat
Patrick, Danny Thompson, Marshall Allen, and John Gilmore – and Ra sings a bit
on the session. Side B of the session steps out a bit more from the first side
– which is the more traditional one – and Ra plays a bit of synthesizer, in a
70s avant kind of mode. Titles include "Dance Of The Extra
Terrestrians", "Love On A Far Away Planet", "Hours
After", and "Beautiful Love".
Mayan Temples is a studio set
recorded in Italy in 1990, and one that draws strongly from the tightening of
tradition the Arkestra experienced in the 80s – working at a time of some of
their greatest acceptance by jazz audiences worldwide, and able to express
themselves fully in a range of different modes! The sense of tone and timing
here is beautiful – almost Ellington-like at points, but still with a decidedly
Sun Ra-like quality – and players on the date include Michael Ray and Ahmed
Abdullah on trumpets, John Gilmore on tenor, Noel Scott and Marshall Allen on
alto sax, and Tyrone Hill on trombone – and June Tyson also sings just a bit on
the set. Ra plays both piano and synth, and titles include "Alone
Together", "Discipline 1", "Sunset On The River Nile",
"El Is The Sound Of Joy", "I'll Never Be The Same",
"Theme On The Stargazers", and "Opus In Springtime". A
double-length set too – nearly 80 minutes of music!
Last up is A Tribute To
Stuff Smith – an unusual session that features Billy Bang on violin, Andrew
Cyrille on drums, and Sun Ra on piano – all in tribute to legendary violinist
Stuff Smith. ~ Dusty Groove
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