Sun Ra - Disco 3000: Complete Milan Concert 1978

Extended release by London label Art Yard of a 1978 El Saturn LP. A highly engaging set from certainly one of the most fertile periods of Ra's career. The synth and electronics work is nothing short of incredible. Also staggering is the music force and fluidity coming from such a small ensemble of musicians: Ra's keyboards and synthesizers, Michael Ray's trumpet, John Gilmore's tenor horn, Luqman Ali's impeccable drumming and June Tyson's occasional but always welcome vocal. Ra's small group and solo work in this period is certainly some of his best work and this concert is exemplary.

Performers: Sun Ra (pi/og/sy/drum machine/vo), Michael Ray (tp/vo), John Gilmore (t-sx/dr/vo), Luqman Ali (dr/vo), June Tyson (vo)

1.1. Disco 3000

1.2. Sun Of The Cosmos

1.3. Echos Of The World

1.4. Geminiology

1.5. Sky Blues

1.6. Friendly Galaxy

2.1. Third Planet/Friendly Galaxy

2.2. Dance Of The Cosmo Aliens

2.3. Spontaneous Simplicity

2.4. Images/Over The Rainbow

2.5. When There Is No Sun

2.6. We Travel The Spaceways

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LHD - Veiled

Apparently the last in a long running series of 7" releases by noise duo Phil Blankenship and John Wiese, this is archival material from 2002 released in 2011 on Wiese's Helicopter imprint (the releases seem to mostly bounce back and forth between the labels run by each artist). High density, textured noise assault spanning four minutes. 

A. Veiled

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LHD - Los Angeles

Double 7" released in 2008 by noise duo Phil Blankenship and John Wiese on Blankenship's own label Troniks. High intensity, high density harsh noise that keeps up the high standard set by their long running series of 7" releases.

A. Untitled

B. Untitled

C. Untitled

D. Untitled

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LHD - Limbs of the Fawn

Very high intensity (almost) full-length noise assault from L.A. power duo Phil Blankenship and John Wiese. Fires a relentless, highly textures assault over thirty-five minutes. Released as a CD on noise/experimental label Misanthropic Agenda in 2006. The title bears a parallel to their 2003 7" 'Hands of the Priestess' (see here).

1. Limbs Of The Fawn

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Experiments in American Music - My Wife Is So Brave!

Single sided noise venture by this so far one-off noise supergroup 'mail collaboration' (recorded in Texas, Baltimore, Göteborg, Philadelphia, Providence), released as a run of thirty cassettes on experimental label The Gift of Music in 2018. Opens with a fascinating monologue on certain death metal motifs and continues with a surly, low burning half hour noise journey.

A. My Wife Is So Brave!

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Sun Ra - Fate in a Pleasant Mood

By 1960 Sun Ra's 'Myth-Science Arkestra' had begun to transition into the freer, far reaching improvisations that would define their move to New York around this time, which could go some way to explaining why this session (recorded in 1959) was shelved until 1965, eventually released on El Saturn sublabel Saturn Research. It would be inaccurate to call this 'tame', however, as the music is at once moving, colourful and distinct in a way only Sun Ra's music could be. The ensemble is relatively small: two trumpets, John Gilmore's tenor sax, Marshall Allen doubling on alto sax and flute, Ra's piano, bass and drums. 

Performers: Sun Ra (pi), George Hudson/Phil Cohran (tp), Marshall Allen (a-sx/fl), John Gilmore (t-sx), Ronnie Boykins (bs), Eddie Skinner (dr)

A1. The Others In Their World

A2. Space Mates

A3. Lights Of A Satellite

A4. Distant Stars

B1. Kingdom Of Thunder

B2. Fate In A Pleasant Mood

B3. Ankhnaton

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Sun Ra - God Is More than Love Can Ever Be

The late seventies were a very fertile period for Sun Ra and his Arkestra and this is one of many overlooked gems, released on Ra's own El Saturn imprint in 1979. A rare trio outing (backed by Richard Williams on the bass and Luqman Ali on drums), the captivating and instantly intoxicating mastery Sun Ra possessed at the piano becomes apparent even in absence of a larger group. The poetry in the title is indicative of the other worldly beauty truly on display here.

Performers: Sun Ra (pi), Richard Williams (bs), Luqman Ali (dr)

A1. Days Of Happiness

A2. Magic City Blue

A3. Tenderness

B1. Blithe Spirit Dance

B2. God Is More Than Love Can Ever Be

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Sun Ra - Piano Recital: Teatro La Fenice, Venezia

Fairly rare live solo set from the great Saturnian bandleader. His playing is as masterful as it is captivating as he works his way through standards made his own ('Take the "A" Train', 'Honeysuckle Rose') and his own compositions that have become standards ('Love in Outer Space', 'Friendly Galaxy'). Released in 2003 on Leo Records sublabel Golden Years of New Jazz. 

1. Free Improvisation 1

2. Blues

3. Love In Outer Space

4. Outer Spaceways Inc.

5. Take The "A" Train

6. St. Louis Blues

7. Penthouse Serenade

8. Angel Race

9. Free Improvisation 2

10. Honeysuckle Rose

11. Friendly Galaxy/Spontaneous Simplicity

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Albert Ayler - Goin' Home

Wonderful selection of (mostly) gospel tunes from saxophone firebrand Albert Ayler. In stark contrast to much of Ayler's output, although religious/spiritual themes can be found everywhere in his music. This is perhaps the most tame we will hear Ayler, joined by Call Cobbs Jr. on piano, Henry Grimes on bass and Sunny Murray on drums. The improvisational sensitivity of these musicians is not sacrificed despite the straight-ahead format, and the unchained emotional-energetic output of Ayler's usual playing seems to be wrestled under control like a hand grenade in a pressure cooker. Recorded for Debut in 1964 and reissued in this 1994 CD edition by Black Lion.

Performers: Albert Ayler (t-sx), Call Cobbs Jr. (pi), Henry Grimes (bs), Sunny Murray (dr)

1. Goin' Home

2. Ol' Man River

3. Down By The Riverside

4. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

5. Deep River

6. When The Saints Go Marchin' In

7. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen

8. Ol' Man River

9. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

10. Down By The Riverside

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Johnny Cash - Hymns from the Heart

Further collection of country gospel music from Johnny Cash released in 1962, three years after 1959's 'Hymns by Johnny Cash' (see here). This differs from the earlier collection in the mellower and more diverse arrangements (rather than the hard-picking early Cash style) and the lack of original compositions by Cash; the artist does contribute three excellent arrangements, however: 'He'll Understand and Say Well Done', 'I Got My Shoes' and 'Let the Lower Lights be Burning'. 

A1. He'll Understand And Say Well Do

A2. God Must Have My Fortune Laid

A3. When I've Learned Enough To Die

A4. I Got Shoes

A5. Let The Lower Lights Be Burning

A6. If We Never Meet Again

B1. When I Take My Vacation In Heaven

B2. When He Reached Down His Hand For Me

B3. Taller Than Trees

B4. I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone

B5. My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)

B6. These Hands

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Hymns by Johnny Cash

Cash's first collection of gospel music on Columbia, released in 1959. Bears all the hallmarks of Cash's early style, backed by vocal ensemble. The depth of Cash's faith is fully on display here, from anthemic chants like 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' to deeply personal self-penned songs such as 'Are All the Children In' and 'Snow in His Hair'. In fact the majority of these songs are penned by Cash, a testament to his singular talent and unique position within American music.

A1. It Was Jesus

A2. I Saw A Man

A3. Are All The Children In

A4. The Old Account

A5. Lead Me Gently Home

A6. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

B1. Snow In His Hair

B2. Lead Me Father

B3. I Call Him

B4. These Things Shall Pass

B5. He'll Be A Friend

B6. God Will

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George Jones - Country Church Time

Collection of country gospel songs sung by George Jones released in 1959 by Mercury Records. Jones' voice is young but his affected country twang is very familiar. The arrangements are catchy and more country-influenced than some similar country-goes-gospel releases (see Don Gibson's 'No One Stands Alone' below).

A1. Taggin' Along

A2. The Good Old Bible

A3. Will The Circle Be Unbroken

A4. My Lord Has Called Me Today

A5. Take The Devil Out Of Me

A6. Boat Of Life

B1. Jesus Wants Me

B2. A Wandering Soul

B3. We'll Understand It

B4. Cup Of Loneliness

B5. If You Want To Wear A Crown

B6. My Soul's Been Satisfied

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Don Gibson - No One Stands Alone

Touching gospel collection by country singer Don Gibson. Doesn't attempt to innovate but a stunning example of this breed of 1950s-early 60s country/gospel LP. Gibson's voice is sonorous and sincere, backed by comforting arrangements and a vocal ensemble. Released in 1958 on RCA Victor.

A1. Satisfied

A2. (Prayer Is The Key To Heaven) Faith Unlocks The Door

A3. That Lonesome Valley

A4. Evening Prayer

A5. Known Only To Him

A6. Canaan's Land

B1. Where No One Stands Alone

B2. My God Is Real

B3. Wait For The Light To Shine

B4. Taller Than Trees

B5. Lord I'm Coming Home

B6. Climbing Up The Mountain

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Elvis Presley - He Touched Me

"He Touched Me was a different kind of gospel album, a conscious updating that mixed a 'contemporary Christian' approach with familiar gospel classics. It was a deliberate broadening of style in both music and repertoire and included material from adventurous new sources both black (Andrae Crouch) and white (Bill Gaither). Like each of the previous religious albums, it sold reasonably well to start off with (200,000 copies) but continued to sell (more than a million copies to date), while also earning Elvis his second Grammy award." (From the Elvis the Music website. See here.)

A1. He Touched Me

A2. I've Got Confidence

A3. Amazing Grace

A4. Seeing Is Believing

A5. He Is My Everything

A6. Bosom Of Abraham

B1. An Evening Prayer

B2. Lead Me, Guide Me

B3. There Is No God But God

B4. A Thing Called Love

B5. I, John

B6. Reach Out To Jesus

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Vasculae - Receding Stasis

Self-released tape from American noise artist Jon Borges under his Vasculae moniker. Cover describes as "crude electronics, tapes, microphones, field recordings" and the resulting sound is one of intense, droning dread almost akin to wall noise. Edition of one hundred copies released in 2012.

A. Virulent Lapse

B. Inferential

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