Sun Ra & His Arkestra - Super Sonic-Jazz (1957)

Sun Ra had only been heading his Arkestra for a couple of years when they recorded the 12 songs featured on this 1956 session. But while the arrangements, ensemble work, and solos are not as ambitious, expansive, or free-wheeling as they became on later outings, the groundwork was laid on such cuts as "India,""Sunology," and one of the first versions of "Blues at Midnight." Ra's band already had the essential swinging quality and first-class soloists, and he had gradually challenged them with compositions that did not rely on conventional hard bop riffs, chord changes, and structure but demanded a personalized approach and understanding of sound and rhythm far beyond standard thinking. You can hear in Ra's solos and those of John Gilmore, Pat Patrick, Charles Davis, and others an emerging freedom and looseness which would explode in the future. [The CD was also released with a bonus track, "Sunology, Pt. 2."] ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide


Sun Ra - Piano
Julian Priester - Trombone
Bass – Victor Sproles
Robert Barry - Drums
Art Hoyle - Trumpet
William Cochran - Drums
Wilburn Green - Electric Bass
James Scales - Alto Saxophone
John Gilmore - Tenor Saxophone
Jim Herndon - Timpani, Timbales
Charles Davis - Baritone Saxophone
Pat Patrick - Alto, Baritone Saxophone