Jazz Archives

I just want to say one thing, this is a concert that made me listen to jazz. Since I watched it in polish TV everything changed in my approach to music.

Sorry for the quality as this is a true gem.

1. Speak

2. Star People

3. What It Is

4. It Gets Better

5. Hopscotch

6. Code M.D.

Miles Davis: trumpet, synth, organ

Bill Evans: soprano and tenor sax, flute

John Scofield: guitar

Robert Irving III: synth

Darryl Jones: bass

Al Foster: drums

Mino Cinelu: percussion

This is one of the odder Joe Henderson recordings. The four lengthy selections not only feature the great tenor-saxophonist but the piano and harp of Alice Coltrane (during one of her rare appearances as a sideman), violinist Michael White, bassist Charlie Haden, percussionist Kenneth Nash and Baba Duru Oshun on tablas. The somewhat spiritual nature of the music (Henderson's compositions are titled "Fire," "Air," "Water" and "Earth") and the presence of Alice Coltrane makes these Eastern-flavored performances rather unique if not all that essential: an early example of world music in jazz. This recording has been reissued as part of Henderson's eight-CD Milestone box set.

 

1 Fire (11:07)

2 Air (9:53)

3 Water (7:33)

4 Earth (13:15)

Bass - Charlie Haden

Congas, Bells, Gongs, Sakara Drum, Percussion - Kenneth Nash

Drums - Leon Ndugu Chancler (tracks:1, 3

Engineer - Rick Heenan

Flute [Wood] - Kenneth Nash (tracks: 3)

Narrator - Kenneth Nash (tracks: 4)

Piano, Harp, Tamboura, Harmonium - Alice Coltrane

Producer - Orrin Keepnews

Saxophone [Tenor], Flute, Flute [Alto] - Joe Henderson

Tabla, Percussion - Baba Duru Oshun

Violin - Michael White

All music composed by Joe Henderson

Recorded at Village Recorders, Los Angeles, Ca., on October 15, 16, 17, 1973

Remix Engineer: Skip Shimmin (at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, Ca.)

The boundaries of Sun Ra's self-proclaimed "space jazz" underwent a transformation in the mid-'60s. The Magic City is an aural snapshot of that metamorphic process. Many enthusiasts and scholars consider this to be among Ra's most definitive studio recordings. Although the "city" in the album's title was thought to have been New York -- where the disc was recorded -- it is actually Ra's earthly birthplace of Birmingham, AL. The Magic City consists of four free jazz compositions: the album side-length title track, "The Shadow World," "Abstract Eye," and "Abstract I" - two variants of a common work. These pieces are essentially ensemble improvisations recorded live. Any direction from Ra, indicating the order of soloists for instance, would be given either through his playing or with hand signals. Sun Ra & His Solar Myth Arkestra took up residency in Manhattan's East Village in the early to mid-'60s.
Their neighbors included Pharaoh Sanders as well as Babatunde Olatunji. In fact, "The Shadow World," "Abstract Eye," and "Abstract I" were actually recorded in Olatunji's loft. The title track begins with weaving distant and frenetic lines from Ronnie Boykins (bass) and Ra (piano, clavoline), connected by intermittent eruptions from Roger Blank (drums). All the while, Marshall Allen's dreamlike piccolo randomly maneuvers through the sonic haze. The piece also contains an ensemble onslaught that abruptly contrasts with everything experienced up through that point. In the wake of the innately earthbound "Magic City" are three comparatively shorter pieces with subtle undercurrents that return Ra to space motifs. For example, the importance of sonic contrast defines "The Shadow World" by juxtaposing he lightly churning bass and cymbal into some surreal keyboard interjections from Ra. The Magic City also comes with an insightful liner notes essay from Ra scholar John F. Szwed, aiding in understanding the circumstances surrounding this piece of free jazz genius.

1. The Magic City (27:24)

2. The Shadow World (10:59)

3. Abstract Eye (2:45)

4. Abstract "I" (4:01)

Arranged By, Composed By - Sun Ra

Artwork By - Don Bied

Bass - Ronnie Boykins

Clarinet [Bass] - Robert Cummings

Keyboards [Clavioline, Electronic Celeste], Piano, Marimba [Bass], Harp [Sun Harp], Percussion [Dragon Drum], Timpani - Sun Ra

Percussion - Jimmi Johnson , Roger Blank

Photography - Francis Ing

Producer - Alton Abraham

Saxophone [Alto] - Harry Spencer

Saxophone [Alto], Flute - Danny Davis

Saxophone [Alto], Flute, Oboe, Piccolo Flute - Marshall Allen

Saxophone [Baritone] , Flute, Timpani - Pat Patrick

Saxophone [Tenor] - John Gilmore

Trombone - Ali Hassan , Bernard Pettaway , Teddy Nance

Trumpet - Chris Capers , Walter Miller

Previously released on El Saturn in 1966.