One of a handful of albums
Sun Ra released on Impulse! in the early '70s,
Astro-Black provides a reasonably comprehensive picture of where
the Arkestra was around the time, drawing to the end of their ultra-free period and beginning to investigate some traditional jazz forms. The opening title track explores some of
Ra's spacier side, sounding a bit like a calmer alternative to his well-known "Space Is the Place" with
June Tyson's ethereal vocals and the leader's ghostly synthesizer. "Discipline 99'" is a relaxed, bluesy number, although, as was often the case, one could argue that the band is a bit too relaxed and the piece does plod a little. But this is followed by a lively African percussion-driven work, "Hidden Spheres," which, along with the propulsion provided by the great, underappreciated bassist
Ronnie Boykins, is a fine example of
Ra's band at its most enjoyable. "The Cosmo-Fire," the 18-minute track that closes the album, is a sprawling affair, an
Arkestra smorgasbord once again held in place by
Boykins' bass, serving as a solid stem off of which
Sun Ra launches abstract organ and vibraphone explorations and the rest of the band wails and sputters. Again, the performance is loose, but in a way that enhances the otherworldly effect that
Ra strove for.
Astro-Black isn't by any means the finest work by this musician, but is a decent introduction to his unique sound world. [This release was remastered and co-produced by
Michael D. Anderson (of the
Sun Ra Music Archive) and
Irwin Chusid, under the auspices of
Sun Ra LLC, the heirs of the late music legend. Original session tapes were used when available and sound quality should surpass all previous CD/digital editions.] ~ Brian Olewnick