It’s nearly two decades since Sun Ra left this planet but he is still constantly in our thoughts and is a relevant today as ever, hence the latest re-issue by Kindred Spirit of this classic album The Antique Black.
Gilles Peterson this week played another re-issue, the 7″ of ‘Love In Outerspace’, (also recommend you ‘Listen Again’ to show for The Simonsound; any see our interview with Simon of The Simonsound HERE and their space-age album Revervse Engineering).
Anyway, back to Peterson who was enthusing about all things Sun Ra said, “Sun Ra, probably the most influential electronic musician going way back ‘cos he was experimenting way ahead of any other jazz musician and he has fans ranging from Bj??rk to Thom Yorke to out and out impro groups around the world…including Rocket No. 9 who’s name comes from a Sun Ra song and are just one of the many bands influenced by the great Sun Ra” – phew!
How can this be you think? Well, the tracks on The Antique Black are a fine example of the range of Ra and his various Arkestras (Myth Science Solar, Astro-Solar-Infinity, Intergalactic, Intergalactic Astro-Solar Infinity, Intergalactic Solar Research, Outer Space, Year 2000 Myth Science, Omniverse Jet Set Arkestra and many more); you get the idea.
From the avant-garde jazz poetry of the title track (closer to Anthony Joseph than Michael Rosen) to the gentle lounge jazz of ‘Song No.1′ or even some electronic experimentation that would make Tristram Cary blush.
Modal heads and space chanters can tune into the multi-faceted ‘This Song Is Dedicated To Nature’s God’ and the ever present oddness is provided by ‘The Ridiculous “I” And The Cosmos Me’; bearing in mind, this album was recorded the same year as ABBA broke thorough with their Song For Europe/Eurovision winner ‘Waterloo’ (with this year’s annual fiasco that’s coming to you this Saturday from Norway) this album is one of many of Sun Ra’s that goes to show how ahead of his time he was.
And talking of hits, the album ends with a rather rockin’ soulful version of his biggest hit ‘Space Is The Place’ (which reminds me of Dwight Trible and isn’t it about time were getting Build An Ark’s Love (Part 2), the follow-up to Love (Part 1); check out our interview with Mr. Spaceways, Carlos Ni?±o HERE).
So if you’re into the sounds of the inspired like Emanative, The Simondsound and most obviously Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra, then this album is for you (as are the other recent re-issues on Kindred Spirit label, Disco 3000, Sleeping Beauty and On Jupiter).
“Sun Ra and his band from outer space have entertained you here.”
Reviewed: Sun Ra – The Antique Blacks (Kindred Spirits) Cat. No: KSAY-5 (Limited Edition 180 Gram vinyl) Release date: April 2010 [Originally released on the El Saturn record label, #81774. Recorded live in Philadelphia August 17th 1974]
Tracklisting:
A1 Song No.1
A2 There Is Change In The Air
A3 The Antique Blacks
B1 This Song Is Dedicated To Nature’s God
B2 The Ridiculous “I” And The Cosmos Me
B3 Would I For All That Were
B4 Space Is The Place
Links:
www.kindred-spirits.nl
www.myspace.com/kindredspiritsrecords
www.spacewaysradio.com
Sun Ra Arkestra’s – Mostly Jazz Festival in Birmingham www.mostlyjazz.co.uk Moseley Park, Birmingham’s eleven-acre woodland glade only two miles from the city centre. July 3rd & 4th 2010
Gilles Peterson 26 May 2010 02:00-04:00 BBC Radio 1 – The Simonsound Live In The Studio
Sun Ra — Love In Outerspace (Jazzman)
Gilles Peterson 19 May 2010 02:00-04:00 BBC Radio 1 – James Blake in the Studio
Rocket Number Nine — Rocket Number Nine (RSR)
Tristram Cary – It’s Time For Tristram Cary (Works For Film, Television, Exhibition & Sculpture) JBH035LP/CD April 2010
trunkrecords.com
BUILD AN ARK REVIEW in SHOOK MAGAZINE: http://www.shook.fm
The Best of Top of the Pops 1974
