Search - Sun Ra :: Somewhere Else

Let the Sun Shine In

Astro-Black | Plainsboro, New Jersey, USA | 09/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is or should be significant to Sun Ra listeners. It constitutes one of Sun Ra's last studio sessions prior to his first in a series of strokes which ended his earthly life on May 30, 1993.While one can quibble with such fancifully detached notions as whether this represents the best value for the money, the true worth of the album resides in several other non-material dimensions. For example, the arrangement of "Somewhere Else" played here is
very different in feeling and tone than that offered on the album "My Brother the Wind, Vol. II". Apart from this, the tone, touch, and strength that Sun Ra displays in his piano playing, illustrates why he must be considered among the very greatest innovators, composers and arrangers ever produced by the music. His versatility and accessibility in a number of different "idioms" of so called Jazz is completely unparalleled by anyone in Jazz history including the Titans like Ellington, Henderson, Monk, Mingus, Coltrane, and others.The real Treasure of this release however is " A Hole in the Sky". Don Cherry (Pocket Trumpet), Marshall Allen (Alto), Pat Patrick (Alto) complemented and spurred by Sun Ra's energy and drive on synthesizer really paint a vivid picture of the range
of new energies and new possibilities that might positively and supra-energetically flow into our lives if a figurative "Hole in the Sky" were opened. By the way listen carefully to the propulsively energetic ensemble drumming (Bugs Hunter, Luqman Ali, Lex Humphries or Samuri Walker)in this composition, it is among the very best you are likely to hear for quite a while.Another sleeper here is "Everything is Space". This tune was previously released on a limited addition printed by the band during the mid-seventies. As with "Somewhere Else' it represents a very diffferent treatment than the initial release.On a bottom line basis, this CD not only contains histroical and artistic treasures, but also illustrates the fact that Sun Ra NEVER did a composition the same way twice. Among his many other musical virtues this characteristic places him in a class by himself."

Mostly outstanding outtakes from outer space

Astro-Black | 09/16/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to say up front- sometimes I can't tell "good jazz" from a guy with a saxophone falling down a flight of stairs. I know what I like and I like this. I tried to do some research on this CD and the best I can tell is that it is a collection of outtakes from A&M sessions released posthumously. I am probably in love with the concept of Sun Ra as interplanetary traveller more than I am with his music but this CD has much cool music that would not sound out of place in a lounge on Sun Ra's "home planet" of Saturn. Priest and Tristar have intriguing bass lines that open and close the CD. The centerpieces Somewhere Else Pts. 1 & 2 and Love in Outer Space really take me to another time and another place; the former to the past, the latter to the future. Everything Is Space is accompanied by a vocal chant that is awesome. Only a few tracks miss my ears, sounding more like noise than anything else. Discipline/Tall Trees on the Sun begins with some interesting snare work before devolving into atonal screeching. Overall, a very good album. If his leftovers are this good, I look forward to a real meal."

Sun Ra at his best

Michael Agostino | South Huntington, NY USA | 02/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know absolutely nothing about music except that I have over 500 artist recordings and I know what I like. I can't believe this is #51 on the Sun Ra list. Nothing else I've heard from Sun Ra comes close to this package. Like the last person said, the bass line on 'Priest' is great. ''S Wonderful' is uplifting, but in a 60s game show kind of way. 'Somewhere Else Part I' is fast becoming my favorite on the album. The texture and rhythms up and down, back and forth is like a 40-year marriage. And 'Everything Is Space' is a proclamation from a soap box -- everyone likes to look at freaks. I have four Sun Ra albums. Janus is the worst. Long, live and boring. His early stuff is pretty good and tighter, more in sync with the jazz of yesteryear. But there is nothing he has that compares to this. Trust me."