Credits:

Sun Ra

Description:

A special 60th anniversary reissue of a gem of an album recorded in October 1961 on Sun Ra's only remaining Savoy label is now available. This is probably the Sun Ra Arkestra's first recording after arriving in New York and features the boppin', highly arranged music characteristic of the Chicago era (1954-1961), performed by seven main instrumentalists and Ricky Murray's vocals. Ra is devoted to acoustic piano throughout, but various percussion instruments are scattered throughout the band, giving some of the songs a slightly exotic flavor. John Gilmore plays bass clarinet on a couple of songs (and has a great tenor solo), and Marshall Allen's flute is excellent as usual.The album was produced by Tom Wilson, who released Sun Ra's first LP, Jazz by Sun Ra (1956) on the Transition label, which was later reissued by Delmark as Sun Song (Wilson later signed a verve contract with Mothers of Invention and (Wilson later signed a vinyl contract with Mothers of Invention and introduced "Electric" to Bob Dylan...). With the exception of "The Beginning," all the songs are very accessible. This is the one I'd like to play for the misguided people who think that the Arkestra is just for making noise.

Tracklisting:

1.Bassism
2.Of Sounds and Something Else
3.What's That?
4.Where Is Tomorrow?
5.The Beginning
6.China Gate
7.New Day
8.Tapestry from an Asteroid
9.Jet Flight
10.Looking Outward
11.Space Jazz Reverie