Sun Ra: Lost Arkestra Series Part 1 10"

Some choice cuts from the vaults of Art Yard finally getting their due on wax! Sun Ra & His Arkestra recorded and released numerous albums, many of them small private press runs, throughout their career. Lost Arkestra Part 1 features 3 recordings that never made it to vinyl until now. On the A side is the rolling percussion of "Along Came Ra" featuring vocals from June Tyson. Worth the price of admission in and of itself. However, the B side holds some greatness as well; 2 tracks recorded at The Teatro Ciak in Milan in 1978. "The Sky Is A Sea Of Darkness When There Is No Sun" washes a sea of voices into an astral traveling synthesizer workout. To close things out "We Travel The Space Ways" offers up a slightly more traditional approach but ends up in an equally psychedelic place.

• music label: Kindred Spirits 2010

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 09/2013