SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA / NORTHSEA JAZZ FESTIVAL 1985 (1CDR)

Sun Ra – piano, synthesizer, vocals
Ronnie Brown – trumpet
Tyrone Hill – trombone
Marshall Allen – alto saxophone, flute, oboe, percussion
John Gilmore – tenor saxophone, clarinet, vocals, timbales
Ronald Wilson – tenor saxophone
Danny Ray Thompson – baritone saxophone, flute, percussion
Eloe Omoe – alto saxophone, bass clarinet, percussion
James Jacson – bassoon, flute, percussion, vocals
Bruce Edwards – electric guitar
Rollo Radford – upright bass, electric bass
Avreeayl Amen Ra – drums, percussion
June Tyson – vocals, dance

1. Improvisation
2. DISCIPLINE 27-11 / THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME / I’LL WAIT FOR YOU
3. Improvisation
4. Unknown Blues
5. YEAH MAN!
6. COCKTAILS FOR TWO
7. I’LL NEVER BE THE SAME
8. MACK THE KNIFE
9. SUNSET ON THE NILE
10. EAST OF THE SUN
11. THE SHADOW WORLD – fade out

In early 2021, the film *Space Is the Place*—featuring Sun Ra—will be released in select independent theaters. Although produced in 1974, this marks its first-ever theatrical release in Japan. While Sun Ra began as a jazz pianist, he gradually gravitated toward a more "spiritual" approach, eventually constructing his own unique universe rooted in his personal philosophy. Adopting the perspective of a being from Saturn, he expanded the world of music into a cosmic realm of his own creation—a musical universe that even a mind as brilliant as Henri Poincaré’s could never have anticipated. His activities were diverse: from leading an ensemble clad in space-age costumes to producing groovy albums that wouldn't feel out of place in a club. While this introduction might make his work seem daunting or difficult to approach, the music collected here is, in fact, highly accessible and easy for anyone to enjoy. This recording captures a 1985 performance in the Netherlands by Sun Ra and his "cosmic music ensemble," the Sun Ra Arkestra. Taken directly from the stage—a so-called "band recording"—it offers high-quality sound with a distinct stereo presence. The material spans a wide range: from spiritual-leaning improvisations featuring saxophone and percussion to more accessible, swing-inflected big-band jazz. It serves as an excellent entry point for those new to the Sun Ra Arkestra, while dedicated, long-time fans should certainly pick up a copy to help support the possibility of future releases.