Sun Ra - Astro Black (1973)

1.Astro Black
2.Discipline
3.Hidden Spheres
4.The Cosmo-Fire.

One of a handful of albums Sun Ra released on Impulse in the early '70s, Astro-Black provides a reasonably comprehensive picture of where the Arkestra was around the time, drawing to the end of their ultra-free period and beginning to investigate some traditional jazz forms. The opening title track explores some of Ra's spacier side, sounding a bit like a calmer alternative to his well-known "Space Is the Place" with June Tyson's ethereal vocals and the leader's ghostly synthesizer. "Discipline '99'" is a relaxed, bluesy number, although, as was often the case, one could argue that the band is a bit too relaxed and the piece does plod a little. But this is followed by a lively African-percussion-driven work, "Hidden Spheres," which, along with the propulsion provided by the great, underappreciated bassist Ronnie Boykins, is a fine example of Ra's band at their most enjoyable. "The Cosmo-Fire," the 18-minute track that closes the album, is a sprawling affair, a smorgasbord of Arkestra once again held in place by Boykins' bass, serving as a solid stem off of which Sun Ra launches abstract organ and vibraphone explorations and the rest of the band wails and sputters. Again, the performance is loose, but in a way that enhances the otherworldly effect that Ra strove for. Astro-Black isn't by any means the finest work by this musician, but is a decent introduction to his unique sound world. ~ Brian Olewnick, All Music Guide.

Bass: Ronnie Boykins
Clarinet (bass): Eloe Omoe
Clarinet (mistro): Pat Patrick
Congas: Atakatun, Chiea, Odun
Electronic Keyboards, Moog Synthesizers, Electro Vibraphone: Sun Ra
Percussions: Tommy Hunter, John Gilmore
Sax (alto): Danny Davis, Marshall Allen
Sax (baritone): Danny Thompson
Sax (tenor): John Gilmore
Trombone: Charles Stephens
Trumpet: Akh Tal Ebah, Lamont McClamb
Violin and Viola: Alzo Wright
Vocals: June Tyson, Ruth Wright.