One of the finest Sun Ra recordings from his final years, this effort is particularly recommended due to the many Ra keyboard solos and John Gilmore features, the latter of which include a tenor showcase on "Opus In Springtime." Trumpeters Michael Ray and Ahmed Abdullah, altoist Marshall Allen and singer June Tyson also have their spots, and the repertoire consists of ten Ra originals (including a remake of "El Is the Sound of Joy") and three standard ballads. Overall, this is a fine all-around studio set. Recommended. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. Dance Of The Language Barrier
02. Bygone
03. Discipline No. 1
04. Alone Together
05. Prelude To Stargazers
06. Mayan Temples
07. I'll Never Be The Same
08. Stardust From Tomorrow
09. El Is The Sound Of Joy
10. Time After Time
11. Opus In Springtime
12. Theme On The Stargazers
13. Sunset On The Night On The River Nile
NOEL SCOTT alto saxophone
MARSHALL ALLEN alto saxophone, flute
JOTHAN CALLINS electric bass
JAMES JACKSON bassoon, African percussion
RON McBEE congas, percussion
CLIFFORD BARBARO drums
EARL "BUSTER" SMITH drums
JORGE SILVA percussion
SUN RA piano, synthesizer
ELSON NASCIMENTO surdo, percussion
JOHN GILMORE tenor saxophone, timbales
TYRONE HILL trombone
AHMED ABDULLAH trumpet, vocals
MICHAEL RAY trumpet, vocals
JUNE TYSON vocals
All music composed, arranged and conducted by Sun Ra, except (10) composed by Ernst R. Ball and J. Keirn Brennan.
Recorded July 24 and 25, 1990 at Mondial Sound, Milano
Black Saint - 120121-2 Italy