Sun Ra And His Arkestra / Super-Sonic Jazz

AllMusic Review by Ron Wynn

Sun Ra had only been heading his Arkestra for a couple of years when they recorded the 12 songs featured on this 1956 session. But while the arrangements, ensemble work, and solos are not as ambitious, expansive, or free-wheeling as they became on later outings, the groundwork was laid on such cuts as "India," "Sunology," and one of the first versions of "Blues at Midnight." Ra's band already had the essential swinging quality and first-class soloists, and he had gradually challenged them with compositions that did not rely on conventional hard bop riffs, chord changes, and structure but demanded a personalized approach and understanding of sound and rhythm far beyond standard thinking. You can hear in Ra's solos and those of John Gilmore, Pat Patrick, Charles Davis, and others an emerging freedom and looseness which would explode in the future.

Sun Ra And His Arkestra
Super-Sonic Jazz



Alto Saxophone – James Scales Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Pat Patrick Baritone Saxophone – Charles Davis Bass – Victor Sproles Bass (Electronic) – Wilburn Green Composed By – Sun Ra Drums – Robert Barry, William Cochran Piano – Sun Ra Producer – Alton Abraham Tenor Saxophone – John Gilmore Timpani, Timbales – Jim Herndon Trombone – Julian Priester Trumpet – Art Hoyle Recorded in 1956 at RCA Studios, Chicago Engineer (Recording): Will Connor Producer: Alton Abraham
A1 India 0:00 A2 Sunology 4:50 A3 Advice To Medics 10:31 A4 Super Blonde 12:35 A5 Soft Talk 15:12 A6 Sunology - Part 2 17:54 B1 Kingdom Of Not 25:00 B2 Portrait Of The Living Sky 30:32 B3 Blues At Midnight 32:23 B4 El Is A Sound Of Joy 38:55 B5 Springtime In Chicago 42:52 B6 Medicine For A Nightmare 46:44

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