Sun Ra

4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

This is the great late-night Sun Ra chillout album you never knew about. The band had been working in a more groove-oriented setting off and on for over a year, as evidenced by the albums Lanquidity and On Jupiter, with both featuring prominent electric bass and electric guitar. Sleeping Beauty picks up right where On Jupiter left off, with the gentle, swaying "Springtime Again" echoing the same mellow vibe of "Seductive Fantasy" from On Jupiter. A skittering intro coalesces as different instruments pick up bits of the melody, which is then fully expressed by the horn section and ensemble vocals. It's a simple two-chord vamp, with beautiful solos that seem to embody the reawakening and rebirth of springtime. "

PERSONNEL:

• Sun Ra - piano, electric piano, organ, vocals
• John Gilmore - tenor sax, percussion, vocals
• Marshall Allen - alto sax, flute
• Eloe Omoe - bass clarinet, flute, percussion
• Michael Ray - trumpet, vocals
• Danny Thompson - baritone sax, flute, percussion
• Luqrnan Ali - drums, vocals
• Knoel Scott - alto sax, baritone sax, percussion
• Craig Harris - trombone
• Tony Bethel - trombone
• Vlncent Chancey - french hom
• James Jackson - bassoon, flute, percussion
• Walter Miller - trumpet
• June Tyson - vocals
• Rhoda Blount - vocals
• Richard Williams - electric bass
• Stanley Morgan - congas
• Harry Wilson - vibraphone
• Curt Pulliam - trumpet
• Kenny Williams - tenor sax, flute
• Hutch Jones - alto sax, tenor sax
• Taylor Richardson - electric guitar
• Steve Clark - electric bass
• Damon Choice - vibraphone, vocals
• Eddie Thomas - drums
• Reg McDonald - drums
• Atakatune - percussion
• Sylvester Baton - reeds

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• 01. Springtime Again
• 02. Door Of The Cosmos

• SIDE B
• 01. Sleeping Beauty