Janus [REPOST]

Sun Ra - Janus

This was among the first posts (5/30/2006) when this blog was started over three years ago. This was also reposted again when I transferred the posts from the old version of A Closet of Curiosities to this new version. I am posting this great Sun Ra record again for those who missed it as I was informed that the link was dead by someone who was wanting to check out the archives.

Island in the Sun

Variety Recording Studio, NYC, between 1968 and 1970

Sun Ra - piano; Danny Davis - alto clarinet; Marshall Allen - flute; Ronnie Boykins - bass; John Gilmore - percussion; Pat Patrick - percussion

"Island in the Sun" is one of those relaxed, flowing compositions with mildly exotic rhythms that are much beloved by Ra fans. The Arkestra still played it in public in the 1980s, though not nearly as often as "Carefree" or "Friendly Galaxy"; today, as "Islands in Space," it remains in the repertoire of Arkestral alumnus Michael Ray and his Cosmic Krewe. The swaying winds are Marshall Allen's liquid flute and Danny Davis' warm, woody alto clarinet. There are solos for Sunny's piano and Marshall's flute before the ensemble returns. The recording appears to have been made between 1968 and 1970. (Robert L. Campbell)

The Invisible Shield

recorded mono, probably at a live performance, 1970

Sun Ra - organ, Mini-Moog synthesizer; Marshall Allen - alto sax; Danny Davis - alto sax; Danny Ray Thompson - Neptunian libflecto (modified bassoon); Clifford Jarvis - drums

After the early commentary from the horns, "The Invisible Shield" becomes a nearly unaccompanied keyboard solo for Sun Ra. "The Invisible Shield" segues into "Janus" when the organ chord and "dentist drill" sounds from the Moog are suddenyl replaced by loud, low, reverberant banging sounds (either from gongs, or low notes from one of Sunny's electronic keyboards recorded with distortion.)

Janus

A. recorded at Sun Studios, NYC, 1967 or 1968

Sun Ra - gong or clavinet

B. recorded at Choreographers' Workshop, NYC, 1963

Sun Ra - director; Marshall Allen - piccolo, percussion; Danny Davis -alto sax, percussion; John Gilmore - tenor sax, bells; Pat Patrick - bongo, percussion; Robert Cummings - bass clarinet, percussion; ronnie Boykins - bass; Art Jenkins - vocal, percussion; Tommy Hunter - reverb, percussion

"Janus" is a compilation of two performances; on the master tape, it follows "The Invisible Shield" without a break. A transitional passage of banging sounds (deliberately distorted gongs, low Clavinet tones, or both) was probably recorded around 1968; it leads into the earliest performance on the CD. The bowed bass, cosmic side drums, and washes of analog reverb point to Sunny's psychedlic year, 1963. Sunny's goal was to evoke African ancestors; before the session, he exhorted singer Art Jenkins, "What about your African influence? what can you sing about Africa? Just being black - black is a color, like green is a color." Jenkins was prepared: "this time, my spirit took me back to Africa. And it was as like in a dreamworld sense, but I was back in my African village, with African musicians, singers, and dancers. It was like, 'It's your time to sing.' One singer moves to the next singer, and so forth, just like the (universal) voice moves." Another tape edit allows the piece to end quietly, with bells. (Robert L. Campbell)

Velvet

recorded in early 1968; it is different from a live recording from 1969 previously known to discographers

Sun Ra - piano; Bernard Pettaway - trombone; Marshall Allen - alto sax; Danny Davis - alto sax; John Gilmore - tenor sax; Pat Patrick - baritone sax; Robert Northern - French horn; Ronnie Boykins - bass; James Jacson - log drums, flute; Clifford Jarvis - drums solos by Pat Patrick (featured), Robert Northern and Sun Ra

"Velvet," a hard-bop composition, goes back to the Arkestra's earliest days in Chicago; the Arkestra had recorded it in 1958 and again in 1960. In the late 1960s, the Arkestra wasn't playing the piece all that regularly, as the rough-and-ready ensembles testify. We do get a tremendous earth-moving solo from Pat Patrick's baritone sax, and an unusual feature for the French horn of Robert Northern, as well as a pithy piano solo by The Ra. (Robert L. Campbell)

Joy

recorded live in NYC, early 1968

Sun Ra - piano, Clavioline; Bernard Pettaway - trombone; Robert Northern - French horn; Marshall Allen - alto sax, percussion; Danny Davis - alto sax, percussion; John gilmore - tenor sax, percussion; Pat Patrick - baritone sax, percussion; Ronnie Boykins - bass; James Jacson - log drums; Clifford Jarvis - drums

In the mid and late 1960s, Sun Ra would often quote a familiar composition as a theme just at the beginning or end of a series of free improvisations. The final 3 minutes of "Joy" could be more free improv., or they could move into the theme of "El is a Sound of Joy" or possibly another Sun Ra tune like "Tapestry from an Asteroid." (When the words to this composition are sung, the last two words are "space joy").

Tracklisting:

1. Island in the Sun {5:27}

2. The Invisible Shield/Janus {12:44}

3. Velvet {7:26}

4. Joy {9:17}

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