Search - Sun & His Solar Arkestra Ra :: Secrets Of The Sun (1962)

Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 10/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A rare and essential LP from the 1960s is reissued in a splendor worthy of its significance.



Recorded after Sun Ra relocated to New York, it has a conventional jazz platform, but drenched in the blues and tight rhythms. The lineup consists of Sun Ra (piano and percussion), John Gilmore (bass clarinet and tenor), Marshall Allen (alto sax), Eddie Gale (trumpet), Pat Patrick (flute), Calvin Newborn (guitar) and Art Jenkins ("space voice").



Several of the songs - Friendly Galaxy, Space Aura, Love In Outer Space - became mainstays in live performances, but it's the previously unreleased Flight To Mars, which is 17 minutes of free jazz exploration, that makes the CD simply incredible.



A classic album is given a new launching pad that truly shows the artistic genius of Sun Ra and the musicians which drove his soundscape vision to astonishing heights."

Missing link

Let S Listen | TN | 10/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll be brief here. Much has been made about Ra's move from Chicago to New York. The music changed from arranged, quirky, large band bebop to something entirely original and sometimes close to "free". Regarding free as another word for inaccessible, this album truly fills the gap. The music is accessible, but at the same time a long way away from the "Chicago" sound. If you're interested in Ra at all, this is a must have. The music's just interesting and intruiging, but doesn't leave you wondering. It makes a clear statement. I have actually come to appreciate transitional periods a lot--look at Miles, they show a lot of where the artist is, but wants to go. Ideas are fresh, and music is played with much conviction. That's what you'll find on this recording. Having already invested considerably in Ra's legacy, this CD is shooting right to the top!"

Yet another of le Sonny's treasures finally released

Heavy Theta | Lorton, Va United States | 01/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc took me a few spins to warm up to. It's not surprising that it lacks the the aural fireworks that would come later in the decade, but the compositions and direction initially seem rather tame, even compared to such pre-cursers to the classic period as When Angels Speak of Love. It is only with ears free of the overt revolution to follow does one hear the boldness and innovation that is being unleashed here. Just as Cezanne was just beginning to fragment structure to allow the cubists who followed, Mr. Mystery is tearing things apart from within, while pushing his musicians to begin thinking about their performance with innovation that is breaking free of tradition. He's giving us a portrait of the House of Usher just before the whole place tumbles. It is this edginess before the storm that gives the recording its understated, but undeniable power. Highly recommended without reservation."