Directed by alumnus Marshall Allen, the Sun Ra Arrkestra is caught here in cd and dvd on a celebrative tour of Sun Ra’s 100 th birthday, that is if you use the solar calendar (which of course is arguable considering the planetary source). This show in Turkey has the 11 piece team mixing rich percussion, wild and exotic horns and Tara Middelton’s earthy yet clear voice for an exciting show that takes you on various journeys through earth and beyond. There are episodes of volcanic rhythm that percolate as on “Astro Black” and while exciting horns riff in a churchlike fashion on “RA #2).” Incisive and in sync readings of Sun Ra classics like “Saturn” feature James Stuart’s tenor, Stephe Marhall’s bass and Vincent Chancey’s flugelhorn, mixing solo space and ensemble passages. Speaking of classics, there’s a reading here of “Stardust” that includes Farid’s Barron’s piano introducing the theme with a dash of “Claire de Lune” before Middelton brings her voice with a full moon of glowing. Allen himself reaches back and throws heat on his solo during a grooving “Carefree #2” before the scene closes with a pair of tunes, “Dancing Shadows” and “Satellites are Spinning” that give audible membrance of the visionary master. Still exciting after all of these earth years.
In and Out Records