Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow
1961 released 1965



Tracks

1. Cluster Of Galaxies
2. Ankh
3. Solar Drums
4. The Outer Heavens
5. Infinity Of the Universe
6. Lights on a Satellite
7. Kosmos in Blue

This is probably of all the Ra albums heard so far one of the most head of time. The last one I complimented for being a solid jazz album, and this one is the opposite. This is probably the furthest straying into the abstract(Angels and Demons at Play did a little, but this takes it five steps forward). I wouldn't say it's as solid as a few of the ones before, but definitely a good listen through, and through. My only real complaint was yet again having to hear the composition Ankh which is good but I don't understand why it needs to be on every other album. Still though, fantastic piece.

High points being Kosmos in Blue(A near 40 minute avant-jazz-ambient piece which is very drony. May I add, this was recorded in the early 60s), and the absolutely amazing "The Outer Heavens"(which sadly, I can't find a youtube link to).

8.5/10

__________________
Al Pacino = God

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Secrets of the Sun
1965



Tracks

1. Friendly Galaxy
2. Solar Differences
3. Space Aura
4. Love In Outer Space
5. Reflects In Motion
6. Solar Symbols
7. Flight to Mars

Not a bad Ra album but not a particularly good Ra album. Seems quite cut down compared to previous works. there's a lot of experimentation in there as always with songs like 'Solar Symbols', but in general this one feels a tad bit just kind of meh in comparison to the rest of the catalog. Worth a purchase if you see it in a shop, or for a listen if you're wanting to explore the Sun Ra discography but nothing really worth seeking out for. Albeit, it does end with a damn good 17 minute jam track at the end. Which is the only thing that bars it form a lukewarm 5.0 rating.

5.5/10

__________________
Al Pacino = God

stillunusual

I'm really liking this thread!

I've got about 50 Sun Ra albums on vinyl, cd and mp3 but would be happy to get some more....

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my last.fm profile ~ 48 hours of my favourite tracks ~ my flickr ~ my tumblr

OccultHawk

Brilliant thread!

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

I sadly have 0 and all in digital format. ):. Glad you like my reviews, though.

__________________
Al Pacino = God

stillunusual

Keep up the good work!

I think I'll put "strange celestial road" on as soon as I get home tonite....

__________________
my last.fm profile ~ 48 hours of my favourite tracks ~ my flickr ~ my tumblr

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

You may, but put it in another thread. It'd break my chronology otherwise.

__________________
Al Pacino = God

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

When Sun Comes Out
1963(why this is said to be a later album, I don't know. I'm just using wiki's discography)



Tracks

1. Circe
2. Nile
3. Brazilian Sun
4. We Travel Spaceways
5. Calling Planet Earth
6. Dancing Shadows
7. Rainmaker
8. When The Sun Comes Out
9. Dimensions In Time

Fantastic Ra Album. Starting with the very unnerving slow Circe and cycling through many phases of Jazz, and Avant-Garde music. I dare say this is another gem in the catalog.

8.5/10

__________________
Al Pacino = God

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy
1963 released 1967



Tracks

1. And Otherness
2. Thither and Yon
3. Adventure-Equation
4. Moon Dance
5. Voice of Space

The standout song here is Moon Dance which is fantastic, especially the bizarre organ tones. And Otherness is a decent opener, kind of tired of the low horn tones. Voices of Space is good, but the rest are Ok. Some reason the recording quality seems unusually low even for a Ra self release. Mediocre by Ra standards.

7/10

__________________
Al Pacino = God

stillunusual

this is one of my favourites actually - I love those psychedelic/dub fx.

I agree about "moon dance" though - the bass line is so funky it makes james brown seem like the pope....

__________________
my last.fm profile ~ 48 hours of my favourite tracks ~ my flickr ~ my tumblr