Sun Ra was
a innovative jazz composer, pianist, synthesizer player, poet
and philosophiser who was fascinated by cosmic philosophy. Ra’s
fascination with all things ‘cosmic’ combined with
his instrumental ability lead to the creation of off-kilter, avant-garde
and highly experimental music. ‘The Night of the Purple
Moon’ originally cut in 1970 showcases Sun Ra playing the
Roksichord (a then state-of-the-art solid-state electronic keyboard
manufactured by RMI, which simulated a harpsichord). On this record,
Sun Ra assembles a rather small ensemble consisting of John Gilmore,
Danny Davis and Stafford James.
‘The
Night of the Purple Moon’ consists of 11 tracks (although
there are 4 rare bonus tracks included) which shows a mellow and
melodious side to Sun Ra. The Roksichord, like a Rhodes Piano,
gives a wonderful psychedelic sound which creates an ethereal
and other-worldly atmosphere. The overall sound is very subtle
and hazy, almost like vintage lounge-jazz, but this is vintage
lounge-jazz with real substance and highly articulate playing.
Bursts of screeching saxophone appear regularly and create a wonderful
‘ying-and-yang’ affect against the mellow and subtle-groovy
backdrop. The title track drops the subtlety and moves into a
(relatively) swing-heavy groove which is lead by a nasal and winding
Roksichord melody. ‘A Bird’s Eye View of Man’s
World’ is the most off-kilter and angular track on the album
and, although relatively subtle in comparison to say Brotzmann
or Ascension era Coltrane, it does have that ‘inside-out’
clattering psychedelic quality to it which will keep your head
spinning throughout. Towards the end of the album proper, ‘Dance
of The Living Image’ is wonderful piece of melodious and
subtle space-jazz which sees electric bass and the Roksichord
changing tempo’s and almost battling each other, whilst
faint elements of Egyptian melodic-motifs drift past.
As a bonus,
listeners are given a alternate (and longer) take of closing track
‘Love In Outer Space’, as well as being treated to
three previously unissued Wurlitzer solos which were home recordings,
made in New York in 1964. Each of the Wurlitzer solos are unfortunately
only approximately two minutes long which isn’t enough time
to make a meaningful track, although their eerie resonance does
charm. This album is an essential purchase for those who wish
to hear the more intimate and hazy side of Sun Ra as he goes on
a melodic mission to the edge of jazz.
‘The
Night of the Purple Moon’ was issued on Saturn records in
1972 and a reissue as part of the ABC-Impulse! Series was intended
but never happened. This led to the album becoming a collector’s
item. As the master-tapes were damaged, this reissue is taken
from an unplayed LP, however the Saturn Vinyl produced in this
period was of notoriously poor quality. This means that the sound
is quite thin and tinny and occasionally you can hear crackles
from the vinyl. Don't let that put you off though as the sound
has a real authenticity to it. (KS)
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