Lanquidity

Rate It! Avg: 4.5 (144 ratings)
ALBUM INFORMATION
EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 5   Total Length: 43:29

eMusic Review

Avatar Image
Steve Smith

eMusic Contributor

04.22.11
An extremely rare Philadelphia session from this vividly garbed potentate and his Arkestra.
Label: Evidence Records

Virtually no one in jazz could ignore the influence of rock and funk in the '70s, not even this vividly garbed potentate from Saturn (by way of Alabama). In the '60s, Sun Ra concocted avant-garde jazz of extraterrestrial origin; late in the '80s, the keyboardist and bandleader would focus on reworking the swing canon. Between those two peaks came this once extremely rare Philadelphia session, in which the Arkestra's raucous lines were pinned to a driving backbeat and swept along by funky guitar riffs that might have been lifted from a blaxploitation film soundtrack.

Write a Review11 Member Reviews

Please log in before you review a release. Log in

user avatar

5 credits well worth your investment

SemolinaPilchard

I first saw the Sun Ra Arkestra about 1989 playing the Disney songbook but Languidity escaped me until I grabbed it here recently and it hit me with that "where have been all my life" directness. Somewhat subdued for the band, this session is no weakling as the playing is expansive around tightly intricate compositions. A great point of entry to their music. It will evolve you and impress you.

user avatar

Lovely

Ivansma

Certainly one of the smoothest albums,get it,get it,get it¡¡¡

user avatar

A Pleasurable Oddity

lodos

This is not typical of Sun Ra at all and, therefore, contrary to one of the reviewers below, if you want to get into his sound don't start here. Otherwise it is contagious; once you've played it you'll definitely play it again and again.

user avatar

Great Late-Night Quiet Storm Vibe

hiddenfire88

One of my favorite Ra recordings. Done at 3 AM in NYC in the late 70's, and it sounds like it. Timeless.

user avatar

Beautiful

hareand

One of my most played jazz downloads - laid back, spaced out, ahead of its time - turn the lights down and take off to another world. Should be available on prescription.

user avatar

Surprisingly accessible

billymaci

Having watched a documentary on Sun Ra recently, I was aware of just how 'far out' his music could be but this album is not too difficult at all. There's a very good groove going throughout. Well worth a listen. Not sure whether I'd venture any further into his universe though...

user avatar

Bestquidity

hoytler

Not only one of my favorite Sun Ra releases, but definitely the most digestible for new 'Ra listeners.

user avatar

WHOA!

Emusica

This album is amazing...download it immediately!!!!

user avatar

Like this

cyberoctopus

Great stuff - off to invesigate some more sun ra now!

user avatar

Sun Ra grooves

ddudley

I find some of Sun Ra's work a little too loose and atmospheric, but this shows that he and his Arkestra definitely knew how to work a groove while still providing some great fills and solos along the way. It's killer jazz, and simply ridiculous that you can pick it up for a measly 5 downloads.

Recommended Albums

They Say All Media Guide

While one can’t quite call it the Sun Ra dance album, this 1978 recording, made for a tiny Philadelphia record label, finds the Sun Ra Arkestra’s rhythm section settling into a steady groove on each of the lengthy tracks, while horns, reeds, guitars, and Sun Ra’s keyboards solo in overlapping patterns on top. The title number recalls Charles Mingus’ “Goodbye Porkpie Hat” in its slow pace and elegiac tone, while the middle three tracks have livelier beats with playing that often answers to the style of fusion played by many jazz groups in the late ’70s. “There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of),” the nearly 11-minute concluding tune, is the closest to more familiar 1960s and early-’70s Sun Ra, with its less cohesive lead work and the “ethnic voices” that speak, sing, and whisper about outer space. Lanquidity was extremely rare in its original vinyl pressing. It was reissued by Evidence Music on September 26, 2000, with liner notes in which John Dilberto discussed Sun Ra’s 25-year residence in Philadelphia and Tom Buchler, who organized the recording session, discussed the making of the album. – William Ruhlmann

more »