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Sun Ra: At The Showcase (Live In Chicago, 1976-1977)
BySun Ra, the enigmatic jazz maestro hailing from another dimension, leads his Arkestra through a sonic odyssey that defies conventional musical boundaries. With his keyboards emitting eerie tones ranging from Jimi Hendrix-esque wails to the spectral ambiance of Disney's Haunted Mansion, Ra conjures an ethereal experience that transports listeners to uncharted realms faster than you can say "Beam me up."
The galactic journey commences with the ethereal strains of "New Beginning," setting the stage for Sun Ra's visionary compositions and the Arkestra's improvisational prowess. Tracks like "Synthesis Approach" highlight Ra's mastery of otherworldly sounds, blending toy organ-like tones with blazing horns, all propelled by the ensemble's telepathic musical rapport. It is akin to a sonic whirlwind while riding an interplanetary rollercoaster. However, treasures like "Ankhnaton" truly elevate this album to cosmic heights, with Michael Ray's trumpet soaring to celestial realms like a musical SpaceX rocket. Each member of the Arkestra, from John Gilmore's hypnotic sax to Marshall Allen's ethereal flute, contributes to the rich sonic tapestry that defines this transcendent experience.
The live recordings on the second CD immerse listeners in the heart of the interstellar spectacle, with audience chants and playful banter adding to the cosmic celebration. While a few tracks may lose their initial luster upon repeated listens, the 17-minute avant-garde jazz opus "Calling Planet Earth & The Shadow World" looms as a pulsating highlight, igniting the senses with its frenetic energy. It is like being caught in a musical wormhole, unsure if one will emerge on the other side with sanity intact.
Credit is due to Zev Feldman's Jazz Detective label for unearthing these cosmic gems, ensuring that Sun Ra's luminous legacy continues to shine brightly across the vast expanse of musical history. At the Showcase Live in Chicago 1976-1977 is a portal beckoning listeners to journey beyond the confines of ordinary musicality and explore the boundless reaches of the cosmic expanse. So strap in, jazz cadets, and prepare for liftoff into the unknown!
Track Listing
CD1: New Beginning; View From Another Dimension; Synthesis Approach; Ankhnaton; Rose Room; Moonship Journey; Velvet. CD2: Calling Planet Earth & The Shadow World; Theme of the Stargazers; Space is the Place; Ebah Speaks in Cosmic Tongue; Greetings from the 21st Century.
Personnel
Sun Ra
pianoJohn Gilmore
saxophone, tenorMarshall Allen
saxophone, altoDanny Davis
flugelhornEloe Omoe
clarinet, bassDanny Thompson
saxophone, baritoneMichael Ray
trumpetAhmed Abdullah
trumpetEmmett Mcdonald
trumpetVincent Chancey
french hornDale Williams
guitar, electricLuqman Ali
percussionEddie Thomas
percussionJames Jacson
bassoonAtakatune Stanley Morgan
percussionJune Tyson
vocalsCheryl Banks-Smith
vocalsJudith Holton
vocalsAlbum information
Title: At The Showcase (Live In Chicago, 1976-1977) | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Jazz Detective
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