🎵 AotW AOTW: Sun Ra - BLUE DELIGHT (SP-5260)

[Captain Bacardi]

Sun Ra
BLUE DELIGHT
A&M SP-5260

Released 1989
Peaked at #13 on the Top Jazz Albums chart (1989)

Format: Vinyl/CD/Cassette

Produced by John Snyder
Executive Producer: Steve Ralbovsky

Songs:

• 1. Blue Delight (Sun Ra) - 11:10
  2. Out Of Nowhere (Johhny Green/Edward Heyman) - 5:26
  3. Sunrise (Sun Ra) - 11:48
  4. They Dwell On Other Planes (Sun Ra) - 14:41
  5. Gone With The Wind (Herbert Magdison/Allie Wrobel) - 5:51
  6. Your Guest Is As Good As Mine (Sun Ra) - 5:53
  7. Nashira (Julian Priester) - 4:09
  8. Days Of Wine And Roses (Henry Mancini) - 6:58

Musicians:
Sun Ra (Le Sony'r Ra) - Piano, Synthesizer
James Jackson - Bassoon, Flute, Percussion
Elo Omoe - Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Contra-Alto Clarinet, Percussion
John Gilmore - Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Percussion
Marshall Allen - Alto Sax, Flute, Oboe, A-Flat Clarinet
Noel Scott - Alto Sax, Percussion
Danny Ray Thompson - Baritone Sax, Flute, Bongos
Fred Adams - Trumpet
Tommy Turrentine - Trumpet
Akmed Abdullah - Trumpet
Al Evans - Flugelhorn, French Horn
Tyrone Hill - Trombone
Julian Priester - Trombone
Bruce Edwards - Guitar
Carl LeBlanc - Guitar (solos)
Billy Higgins - Drums (on right)
Earl "Buster" Smith - Drums (on left)
John Ore - Bass
Elson Nascimento - Percussion

Recorded (Mulit-Track Analog) 0n Decmeber 5, 1988 at Variety Recording Studios, New York City.
Engineered by David Lescoe, assisted by Joe Cyr, Alejandro Colinas and Carlos Cervantes.
Mixed (Two-Track Digital) on December 15, 1988 at Variety Recording Studios, New York City.
Engineered by David Lescoe.
Digitally Mastered on January 23, 1989 at RCA Recording Studios, New York City.
Engineered by Joe Lopez.

Art Direction: Chuck Beeson with Ph.D
Design: Ph.D
Photography: Carol Friedman (cover) and Judy Sneed
Liner notes by Jim Macnie
Poetry by Sun Ra



Capt. Bacardi

 

[Captain Bacardi]

This is a fun album to listen to. Sun Ra has a history of being somewhat, uh, unorthodox (to say the least) in his approach to music. Fortunately for this release he keeps his solid big band somewhat within the realm of reality. This album sounds as if it was a lot of fun to record. I sense a lot of good vibes throughout this album. Sometimes Sun Ra tends to be a bit tedious, such as on the neverending vamp on "They Dwell On Other Planes". My favorite track is the grooving "Your Guest Is As Good As Mine", with "Nashira" coming in a close second, which features the underrated Julian Priester on trombone. This is definitely worth looking for. 4 stars.



Capt. Bacardi

 

[LPJim]

Another fine recording from that wonderful "Modern Masters Jazz Series." In addition to the tracks mentioned I enjoy the uptempo treatment given to "Days of Wine and Roses."

Sun Ra's next outing, PURPLE NIGHT, was less traditional and more oriented to the outer space experimentation for which he's best known.


JB