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{{Infobox album
{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Secrets of the Sun
| name = Secrets of the Sun
| Type = Album
| type = Album
| Artist = [[Sun Ra]] and his Solar Arkestra
| artist = [[Sun Ra]] and his Solar Arkestra
| Cover =
| cover = Secretsofthesun.jpg
| Released = 1965 <ref name="campbell"/>
| alt =
| released = 1965 <ref name="campbell"/>
| Recorded =1962, New York
| Genre = [[Jazz]]
| recorded = 1962, New York
| Length =
| venue =
| studio =
⚫
| Label =[[El Saturn Records|Saturn]]<br />[[Atavistic Records]]
| Producer =Alton Abraham
| genre = [[Jazz]]
| Reviews =
| length =
⚫
| label = [[El Saturn Records|Saturn]]<br />[[Atavistic Records]]
* CD [[Allmusic]] {{Rating|3.5|5}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gxftxqugldke link]
| producer = Alton Abraham
| Last album = ''[[Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow]]''<br/>(1961-62)
| prev_title = [[Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow]]
| This album = '''''Secrets of the Sun'''''<br/>(1962)
| prev_year = 1961-62
| Next album = ''[[When Sun Comes Out]]''<br/>(c.1963)
| next_title = [[When Sun Comes Out]]
| next_year = 1963
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = CD [[Allmusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r148353|pure_url=yes}} CD Allmusic review]</ref>
|rev2 = [[All About Jazz]]
|rev2score = (?)<!--add rating--><ref>[http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30710 All About Jazz review]</ref>
}}<!-- Automatically generated by DASHBot-->
⚫
'''''Secrets of the Sun''''' is an album by the American [[Jazz]] musician [[Sun Ra]] and his Solar Arkestra. The album is considered one of the more accessible recordings from his 'Solar' period.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r148353|pure_url=yes}} All Music Guide]</ref><ref name="AAJ">[http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30710 All About Jazz]</ref> Originally released on Ra's own Saturn label in 1965, the record was unavailable for many years before being reissued on [[compact disc]] by Atavistic in 2008.
<blockquote>
'Marking a transition in its development between the advanced swing of the early Chicago-era recordings and the increased free-form experimentation of its New York tenure, this album also reveals the first recorded versions of two Ra standards, "Friendly Galaxy" and "Love in Outer Space." Accessible, yet segueing into vanguard territory, this album highlights a fertile period in the Arkestra's history. Looser and more aggressive than its Chicago recordings, these pieces find the Arkestra pushing at the limits of harmony and tonality.' Troy Collins <ref name="AAJ"/>
</blockquote>


==Increasing free-form experimentation==
⚫
'''''Secrets of the Sun''''' is an album by the American [[Jazz]] musician [[Sun Ra]] and his Solar Arkestra. The album is considered one of the more accessible recordings from his 'Solar' period <ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gxftxqugldke All Music Guide]</ref>. Originally released on Ra's own Saturn label in 1965, the record was unavailable for many years before being reissued on [[compact disc]] by Atavistic in 2008.
The album is characterised by playful experimentation. ''Solar Symbols'' - a duo for percussion - used reverberation techniques that have since been considered an early foray into pure ambient music.<ref name="szwed"/> ''Solar Differentials'' even featured an experimental 'Space Voice';
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
'''Solar Differentials'' introduced Art Jenkins, a new "Space Vocalist". Jenkins had sought an audition with Sun Ra a few months before the recording, and sang some rhythm-and-blues tunes for him. Sonny told him that he had a nice voice, but what he was looking for was a singer who could do the impossible ("The possible has been tried and failed; now I want to try the impossible"). Art came back one day when they were recording at the Choreographer's Workshop, and dead set on getting on a record somehow, rummaged through a bag of miscellaneous instruments looking for something he could play. But every time he picked up something, someone in the band would tell him to leave it alone. When no one objected when he pulled a ram's horn from the bottom of the bag he began to sing into it, but backwards, with his mouth to the large opening, so that it gave out a weird sound which he made weirder by moving his hand over the small opening to alter the tone. Sonny broke out laughing, "Now that's impossible!" and asked him to improvise wordlessly on the record.' John F Szwed, <ref>John F Szwed Space is the Place, Mojo, 2000, p192-193</ref>
'''Solar Differentials'' introduced Art Jenkins, a new "Space Vocalist". Jenkins had sought an audition with Sun Ra a few months before the recording, and sang some rhythm-and-blues tunes for him. Sonny told him that he had a nice voice, but what he was looking for was a singer who could do the impossible ("The possible has been tried and failed; now I want to try the impossible"). Art came back one day when they were recording at the Choreographer's Workshop, and dead set on getting on a record somehow, rummaged through a bag of miscellaneous instruments looking for something he could play. But every time he picked up something, someone in the band would tell him to leave it alone. When no one objected when he pulled a ram's horn from the bottom of the bag he began to sing into it, but backwards, with his mouth to the large opening, so that it gave out a weird sound which he made weirder by moving his hand over the small opening to alter the tone. Sonny broke out laughing, "Now that's impossible!" and asked him to improvise wordlessly on the record.' John F Szwed,<ref name="szwed">John F Szwed Space is the Place, Mojo, 2000, p192-193</ref>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
When reissued on compact disc, the record came with an extended 17 minute 'soloing tour de force', ''Flight To Mars''.

⚫
==Track listing==


⚫
==Track Listing==
===12" Vinyl===
===12" Vinyl===
All songs by Sun Ra<br />
All songs by Sun Ra<br />
'''Side A:'''
'''Side A:'''
#Friendly Galaxy
#"Friendly Galaxy"
#Solar Differentials
#"Solar Differentials"
#Space Aura
#"Space Aura"
'''Side B:'''
'''Side B:'''
#Love In Outer Space
#"Love in Outer Space"
#Reflects Motion
#"Reflects Motion"
#Solar Symbols
#"Solar Symbols"

===CD bonus track===
#<li value="7">"Flight to Mars"


==Musicians <ref>Atavistic Sleeve Notes</ref>==
==Musicians <ref>Atavistic Sleeve Notes</ref>==
Line 40: Line 58:
*[[Calvin Newborn]] - Guitar, Electric Guitar
*[[Calvin Newborn]] - Guitar, Electric Guitar
*[[Marshall Allen]] - Flute, Alto Saxophone, Percussion
*[[Marshall Allen]] - Flute, Alto Saxophone, Percussion
*[[Pat Patrick]] - Flute, Baritone Saxophone, Bongos
*[[Pat Patrick (musician)|Pat Patrick]] - Flute, Baritone Saxophone, Bongos
*Eddie Gale - Trumpet
*[[Eddie Gale]] - Trumpet
*Al Evans - Flugelhorn
*Al Evans - Flugelhorn
*[[Ronnie Boykins]] - Bass
*[[Ronnie Boykins]] - Bass
Line 48: Line 66:
*Jimmy Johnson - Percussion
*Jimmy Johnson - Percussion


Recorded entirely at the Choreographer's Workshop, New York (the Arkestra's rehearsal space) in 1962 by Tommy Hunter <ref name="campbell">[http://homepage.uab.edu/moudry/disc_a.htm#18. Sun Ra's Discography, R Campbell]</ref>.
Recorded entirely at the Choreographer's Workshop, New York (the Arkestra's rehearsal space) in 1962 by Tommy Hunter.<ref name="campbell">[http://homepage.uab.edu/moudry/disc_a.htm#18. Sun Ra's Discography, R Campbell]</ref> The same sessions are believed to have also yielded a number of songs released on ''The Invisible Shield'' and ''What's New?'', two Saturn albums released a decade later that also contained songs recorded in the 1970s.<ref name="campbell"/>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>

{{Sun Ra}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Secrets of the Sun (album)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Secrets Of The Sun (Album)}}
[[Category:Sun Ra albums]]
[[Category:Sun Ra albums]]
[[Category:1962 albums]]
[[Category:1962 albums]]
[[Category:Jazz albums]]
[[Category:El Saturn Records albums]]
[[Category:Atavistic Records albums]]

Latest revision as of 15:22, 16 June 2024

Secrets of the Sun
Studio album by
Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra
Released1965 [1]
Recorded1962, New York
GenreJazz
LabelSaturn
Atavistic Records
ProducerAlton Abraham
Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra chronology
Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow
(1961-62) 		Secrets of the Sun
(1965) 		When Sun Comes Out
(1963)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CD Allmusic[2]
All About Jazz(?)[3]

Secrets of the Sun is an album by the American Jazz musician Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra. The album is considered one of the more accessible recordings from his 'Solar' period.[4][5] Originally released on Ra's own Saturn label in 1965, the record was unavailable for many years before being reissued on compact disc by Atavistic in 2008.

'Marking a transition in its development between the advanced swing of the early Chicago-era recordings and the increased free-form experimentation of its New York tenure, this album also reveals the first recorded versions of two Ra standards, "Friendly Galaxy" and "Love in Outer Space." Accessible, yet segueing into vanguard territory, this album highlights a fertile period in the Arkestra's history. Looser and more aggressive than its Chicago recordings, these pieces find the Arkestra pushing at the limits of harmony and tonality.' Troy Collins [5]

Increasing free-form experimentation

[edit]

The album is characterised by playful experimentation. Solar Symbols - a duo for percussion - used reverberation techniques that have since been considered an early foray into pure ambient music.[6] Solar Differentials even featured an experimental 'Space Voice';

'Solar Differentials introduced Art Jenkins, a new "Space Vocalist". Jenkins had sought an audition with Sun Ra a few months before the recording, and sang some rhythm-and-blues tunes for him. Sonny told him that he had a nice voice, but what he was looking for was a singer who could do the impossible ("The possible has been tried and failed; now I want to try the impossible"). Art came back one day when they were recording at the Choreographer's Workshop, and dead set on getting on a record somehow, rummaged through a bag of miscellaneous instruments looking for something he could play. But every time he picked up something, someone in the band would tell him to leave it alone. When no one objected when he pulled a ram's horn from the bottom of the bag he began to sing into it, but backwards, with his mouth to the large opening, so that it gave out a weird sound which he made weirder by moving his hand over the small opening to alter the tone. Sonny broke out laughing, "Now that's impossible!" and asked him to improvise wordlessly on the record.' John F Szwed,[6]

When reissued on compact disc, the record came with an extended 17 minute 'soloing tour de force', Flight To Mars.

Track listing

[edit]

12" Vinyl

[edit]

All songs by Sun Ra
Side A:

  1. "Friendly Galaxy"
  2. "Solar Differentials"
  3. "Space Aura"

Side B:

  1. "Love in Outer Space"
  2. "Reflects Motion"
  3. "Solar Symbols"

CD bonus track

[edit]
  2. "Flight to Mars"

Musicians [7]

[edit]
  • Sun Ra - Harp, Piano, Gong
  • John Gilmore - Space Bird Sounds, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Drums, Percussion
  • Art Jenkins - Space Voice
  • Calvin Newborn - Guitar, Electric Guitar
  • Marshall Allen - Flute, Alto Saxophone, Percussion
  • Pat Patrick - Flute, Baritone Saxophone, Bongos
  • Eddie Gale - Trumpet
  • Al Evans - Flugelhorn
  • Ronnie Boykins - Bass
  • Tommy Hunter - Drums, Tape Effects
  • C. Scoby Stroman - Drums
  • Jimmy Johnson - Percussion

Recorded entirely at the Choreographer's Workshop, New York (the Arkestra's rehearsal space) in 1962 by Tommy Hunter.[1] The same sessions are believed to have also yielded a number of songs released on The Invisible Shield and What's New?, two Saturn albums released a decade later that also contained songs recorded in the 1970s.[1]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Sun Ra's Discography, R Campbell
  2. ^ CD Allmusic review
  3. ^ All About Jazz review
  4. ^ All Music Guide
  5. ^ a b All About Jazz
  6. ^ a b John F Szwed Space is the Place, Mojo, 2000, p192-193
  7. ^ Atavistic Sleeve Notes
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