SUN RA AND HIS ASTRO-INFINITY ARKESTRA
Other Strange Worlds
(Roaratorio - roar33) LP $20.25 (Out-of-stock)
Within Sun Ra’s vast discography, the album that orbits the furthest away from the known jazz universe is Strange Strings. Calling it a “study in ignorance,” Sun Ra directed his Arkestra stalwarts to pick up unusual stringed instruments and homemade percussion with which they had little familiarity, and improvise without any guidelines or direction. Other Strange Worlds, recorded in his NYC apartment in May of 1965, dates from the same era and employs the same methodology as Strange Strings. He and John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, Art Jenkins, and Ali Hasaan freewheel through collective improvisation — some texture-over-tonality string experiments, some exotic reeds and percussion. Includes download coupon.
SUN RA AND HIS ASTRO-INFINITY ARKESTRA
Sign Of The Myth
(Roaratorio - ROAR35) LP $20.25 (Out-of-stock)
One of the early 70s lost Impulse recordings available for the first time. Recorded during the Pathways To Unknown Worlds sessions (Impulse 1972), it shares that album’s emphasis on guided improvisation. With a constantly shifting palette of Moog textures, Ra tosses off a dazzling array of ideas, supported by the usual Arkestra stalwarts; in particular bassist Ronnie Boykins and drummer Clifford Jarvis shine, giving shape and solidity to the pieces. Includes free download card. Listen to “The Truth Of Maat” here: https://soundcloud.com/roaratoriorecs/sun-ra-his-astro-infinity-arkestra-the-truth-of-maat