Search - Sun Ra :: The Other Side of the Sun

Swing & Intrigue from Mr. Mystery

Michael F. Hopkins | Buffalo, NY USA | 09/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is a gem of a Sun Ra album. No one package can

summarize the diversified genius of the mighty Myth

Realist, but there are a handful of albums which

provide a sweet pictoral for ear and mind. SUPERSONIC

JAZZ and JAZZ IN SILHOUETTE present sumptuous views

into the early years of multiharmoic pioneering, and

stomping good jams to boot! NOTHING IS and LIVE AT

MONTREUX offer the further discpline which Ra and

his Arkestra has brought into the entire realm of

Music, let alone the Jazz avant garde.



With the yet-unavailable-on-CD OMNIVERSE, THE OTHER SIDE

OF THE SUN is an impeccable peek into both the traditional

AND transitional drives which make the master poet/pianist/

arkestrator so deliciously deadly. From the jaunty jump

of "Space Fling" to the heady ethereal conjure of

"Manhattan Cocktail", you know you're on one serious

voyage conducting you through the cosmic and the down

home with a firm smile.

Taste the saucy boogaloo of this album's version of "Space

Is The Place", or the haunting allure by which the standard

"Flamingo" calls to the heart and soul, and ponder those

who endlessly speak of Ra and Arkestra as nonmusical

noisemakers. Add a genuinely-upbeat rendition of "The

Sunny Side Of The Street", and you have a classic album

of Sweet Black Music, great and warming.



From the late 1970s, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SUN is full

of spirit and strength. I invite you to check the great

personnel which fuels this edition of the Arkestra, that

you may know the masters by their most joyful sound, ever

around...

"

They are standards but playe all so sweetly

M. Salmestrelli | Seaside park, Nj | 12/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a considerably different set form the Sun Ra Arkestra when put next to "Languidity" which was recorded during the same time frame. This is a straght ahead album with alot more energy and vigor and less of an avante gurade slant to the proceedings. I believe the Arkestra could swing from both albums during the same concert and what a great show that would be to see.
CUrrently they list this as out of print from Amazon[.com] but if you really love The Arkestra from the early to mid 80s when they fully embraced music from big bands standards sonng books from the 40s and 50s this is defintely worth searching out.
Be warned I dont think Sun Ra or the Arkestra ever made a substandard album in their careers and this includes the current Arkestra as led by Marshall Allen who continue to tour and record today."