Atlantis (Sun Ra album)
| Atlantis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Sun Ra | ||||
| Released | 1969 [1] | |||
| Recorded | c.1967 - 69 | |||
| Genre | Avant-garde jazz | |||
| Length | 42:35 / 40:46 / 46:13 | |||
| Label |
Saturn Impulse! Records Evidence Records | |||
| Producer | Alton Abraham | |||
| Sun Ra chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |  [2] |
| All About Jazz | (not rated) [3] |
Atlantis is an album by Jazz musician Sun Ra and his Astro-Infinity Arkestra released in 1969.
The album heavily features the "Solar Sound Instrument" - a Hohner Clavinet. One of the 4 compositions which originally featured on Side 1 of the original release was substituted by a different piece for the 1973 reissue, though reusing the same name, "Yucatan". Both pieces appear on the later CD reissue.
The title track covered the second side of the LP and is regarded as a key prototype for Sun Ra's performances through the 1970s.[4] It was recorded at a 1967 concert at the Olatunji Center of African Culture in New York [5] and has been described as "a masterpiece that twists and turns through many soundscapes".[6]
'[The title track Atlantis is] one of Ra's most epic pieces, which is free or "space" jazz at its most invigorating. While virtually indescribable, the sonic churnings and juxtaposed images reveal a brilliant display of textures and tonalities set against an ocean of occasional rhythms. Its diversity alone makes this is an essential entry in the voluminous Sun Ra catalog.' Lindsay Planer [7]
Track listing
The information is for the 12" Vinyl.
All songs by Sun Ra
Side A:
- "Mu" – 4:30
- "Lemuria" – 5:02
- "Yucatan" (either Saturn version, 5:27 or Impulse! version, 3:38)
- "Bimini" – 5:45
Side B:
- "Atlantis" – 21:51
Side one probably recorded at Sun Studios, New York (the Arkestra's commune) between 1967 and 1969;[1] side two was recorded at Olatunji's cultural center on 125th Street, NY, in 1967.[8] When reissued on Evidence, both versions of Yucatan were included back to back. This arrangement remained when Sun Ra's entire back catalog was remastered and reissued by Ra's estate (under the supervision of Irwin Chusid) in 2014.
Personnel
Produced by: Ihnfinity Inc. and Alton Abraham
Musicians:
- Sun Ra - Solar Sound Organ, Solar Sound Instrument
- John Gilmore- Tenor Saxophone, Percussion
- Pat Patrick- Baritone Saxophone, Flute
- Marshall Allen- Alto Saxophone, Oboe
- Danny Thompson - Alto Saxophone, Flute
- Bob Barry - Drums, Lightning Drum
- Wayne Harris - Trumpet
- Ebah - Trumpet
- Carl Nimrod - Space Drums
- James Jacson - Log Drums
- Robert Cummins - Bass Clarinet
- Danny Davis - Alto Saxophone
- Ali Harsan - Trombone
Liner Notes
"The Dead Past"
The civilizations of the past have been used as the foundation of the civilization of today. Because of this, the world keeps looking toward the past for guidance. Too many people are following the past. In this new space age, this is dangerous. The past is DEAD and those, who are following the past are doomed to die and be like the past. It is no accident that those who die are said to have passed since those who have PASSED are PAST.
References
- 1 2 Sun Ra's Discography, R Campbell
- ↑ Planer, Lindsay. Atlantis (Sun Ra album) at AllMusic
- ↑ MacLaren, Trevor (5 October 2003). "Sun Ra: Atlantis". allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ↑ Litweiler, John (1984). The Freedom Principle: Jazz After 1958. Da Capo. p. 147. ISBN 0-306-80377-1.
- ↑ Szwed, John F (1997). Space is the Place. Payback Press. p. 248. ISBN 0-86241-722-8.
- ↑ McLaren, Trevor (2003-10-03). "Sun Ra: Atlantis". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
- ↑ Allmusic
- ↑ John Szwed, Village Voice