The recordings here represent an early phase of the evolution of Sun Ra’s band. It’s noticeable that the earlier material, from 1956, has more form and structure but with varying degrees of success, as at times it threatens to fall apart, but never does.
Rather, it’s relaxed but to a certain extent disciplined, as on the Julian Priester composition Urnack, which gives opportunities for straightahead bop solos. Priester himself also contributes on this before the horns in unison support Ra’s solo, brief but with a slight Monkish feel.
After the typically 50s style of modernistic ensemble playing at the start of A Call For All Demons, Art Hoyle’s clear and open trumpet leads the horns into blues mode. Hoyle again is featured, this time muted, on Medicine For A Nightmare where Pat Patrick’s baritone stands out. Demon’s Lullaby maintains the sense of urgency, horns collectively riffing then given a few bars for each to briefly solo.
The Blue Set would be a good blindfold test – a dirty blues, a far cry from the collective improvisation, fragmentation and dissonance associated with the band of later years. It originally came out as a single, no doubt for the juke boxes in Chicago’s bars as dancers negotiated a slow clinch.
By 1960 the band’s repertoire was starting to veer towards exoticism and experimentation, and the two Ronnie Boykins compositions, Tiny Pyramids and Angels And Demons At Play, instil an Eastern flavour. Both are led by Marshall Allen’s flute and guided by heavily percussive arrangements; the title track is underpinned and directed by Boykins’ bass, the percussion having the freedom for expression – a good indication of the direction the Arkestra was to move towards.
Originally on Ra’s Saturn label, this album was reissued on Impulse (AS9245) in 1973 with a different cover, designed by illustrator Cathy Endfield, which is used here. Unfortunately the playing time is woefully short. It was also issued a few years ago on Evidence ECD22066, together with the 1958/9 recordings The Nubians Of Plutonia, making it better value. Waxtime In Color release it here in their limited edition series, 180gm pressing on coloured vinyl.
Discography
Tiny Pyramids; Between Two Worlds; Music From The World Tomorrow; Angels And Demons At Play; Urnack; Medicine For A Nightmare; A Call For All Demons; Demon’s Lullaby; The Blue Set (28.36)
Sun Ra (p, elp, org, pc) with Art Hoyle (t); Phil Cohran (zither, c); Nate Pryor, Bo Bailey, Julian Priester (tb); John Gilmore (ts, cl); Marshall Allen (as, f); Pat Patrick (bar, as); Ronnie Boykins (b); Wilburn Green (elb); Jon Hardy (d, pc, gong); Robert Barry (d); Jim Herndon (tym). Chicago, February 1956 and various dates 1960.
Waxtime In Color 950731
