Sun Ra Pathways To Unknown Worlds/Friendly Love CD

Includes liner notes by John F. Szwed and Robert L. Campbell.

Sun Ra/Astro Infinity Arkestra: Sun Ra (organ, vibraphone, Mini-Moog synthesizer); Marshall Allen (alto saxophone, oboe); Danny Davies (alto saxophone); John Gilmore (tenor saxophone, timbales); Danny Ray Thompson (baritone saxophone, bongos); Kwame Hadi (trumpet, percussion); Eloe Omoe (bass clarinet, percussion); Ronnie Boykins (bass); Clifford Jarvis, James Jacson (drums); Atakatune (congas); Akh Tal Ebah (percussion).

Sun Ra/Astro Infinity Arkestra: Sun Ra (organ, Mini-Moog synthesizer); Danny Davis, Danny Davis (alto saxophone); John Gilmore (tenor saxophone); Danny Ray Thompson (baritone saxophone); Kwame Hadi (trumpet, congas); Akh Tal Ebah (flugelhorn); Marshall Allen (oboe); Eloe Omoe (contra-alto clarinet, bass clarinet); Harry Richards (drums); Atakatune (congas).

PATHWAYS was the only volume of a Sun Ra trilogy Impulse Records planned to release in 1975. The other two, CYMBALS and CRYSTAL SPEARS, remained unreleased until their appearance in 2000 as THE GREAT LOST SUN RA ALBUMS. Recorded in 1973, this is the Arkestra at their most communally inventive and daring. The four selections (the original release had just three) are all cued improvisations. The set is enhanced with the addition of a rare session, previously thought to be lost, and never before released in any manner. Titled, FRIENDLY LOVE, it also is divided into four parts in which the ten-piece ensemble follows the directions of their leader, giving us yet another glimpse into the musical mind of Sun Ra.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Recorded in 1973.

2 On 1 CD;Friendly Love Was Prev.Unrel;Mid 70s/Early 70s

Recorded at Variety Studios, New York, New York in 1973. Originally released on Impulse (#9298).

2 LPs on 1 CD: PATHWAYS TO UNKNOWN WORLDS/FRIENDLY LOVE.

PATHWAYS TO UNKNOWN WORLDS:

FRIENDLY LOVE:

Personnel: Sun Ra (organ, mini-Moog synthesizer); Eloe Omoe (alto clarinet, bass clarinet, percussion); Marshall Allen (oboe, alto saxophone); John Gilmore (tenor saxophone, timbales); Kwame Hadi (trumpet, congas, percussion); Ahk Tal Ebah (flugelhorn, percussion); James Jacson, Clifford Jarvis (drums).

Audio Mixer: Roger Seibel.

Liner Note Author: John F. Szwed.

Recording information: Additional Locations (1973); Variety Recording Studios, New York, NY (1973).

Photographer: Raymond Ross.Alternative Press (3/01, pp.92-4) - 4 out of 5 - "...Originally recorded in quadraphonic sound in 1973...reminding us that Ra's muse encompassed sounds well beyond the realm of conventional jazz..."
The Wire (10/00, p.60) - "...Extraordinary....it's music that doesn't sound much like anything else you might have heard..."
JazzTimes (12/00, pp.99-100) - "...Strong, abstract pieces whose only common denominator was Ra's intuition..."