The folks at Superior Viaduct are truly doing God's work. Following a string of bold recent releases, including that John Frusciante reissue, and that visionary Cindy Lee record, the label is readying a vinyl reissue of Sun Ra And His Arkestra Featuring Pharoah Sanders And Black Harold, a seminal live recording from the jazz legend. Joined here by sax player Pharoah Sanders prior to Sanders joining Coltrane's band, this is a vital and essential release.
Opening with the glorious cacophony of "Gods on a Safari", this 1964 live recording reveals some masterful playing by Sun Ra on the keys before the roar of "The World Shadow" unveils dueling saxes from Marshall Allen, long-time Sun Ra associate, and Pharoah Sanders. This album's version of the cut is, according to online sources, the earliest known recording of Sun Ra staple "The Shadow World" with its title here reversed. Far more appealing for Sun Ra fans is the swirling racket of "Rocket Ninety Nine" which finds all the player firing on all cylinders, and Sun Ra himself running wild on the piano. Flautist Harold Murray ("Black Harold") shines on both "The Voice of Pan" and "Dawn Over Israel" later on the record. Sun Ra And His Arkestra Featuring Pharoah Sanders And Black Harold closes with the nearly-gentle "Space Mates", Sun Ra favoring a light touch on the keys on this one.
Sun Ra And His Arkestra Featuring Pharoah Sanders And Black Harold is out on Friday via Superior Viaduct. Fans of both classic jazz and Sun Ra's progression as a musical titan are advised to seek this one out.