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- Date Released: January 1, 1966
- Genre: Jazz
- Style: Avant-garde
- Label: Evidence Records
A working-stiff swing pianist that knew his roots enough to eschew them for outer space.
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We Say...
How to encapsulate the sonic universe of extraterrestrial jazz pianist and arranger Sun Ra? It's as impossible as to calculate his exact trajectory through this terrestrial life. From polyrhythmic space chants to all out skronk and blat, from Ellingtonian swing to experimental electronic noise, from Africa to Saturn, Sun Ra and his disciples rocketed through it all. Rare was the man's solo outings though, and this one stands out in the vast discography. While already employing ARPs and Moogs in his live set-up, Monorails and Satellites finds Ra focusing on his piano straight-up. Whether it's a standard like "Easy Street," playing the blues or boogie-woogie, Ra reveals that despite the foil-wrapped solar crown, sequined gown and cosmic dogma, he was first and foremost a working-stiff swing pianist from Alabama that knew his roots enough to eschew them for outer space.
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They Say...
Although Sun Ra's catalog of available recordings numbers into the hundreds, there are very few solo entries. Monorails and Satellites (1966) is among the earliest -- if not the first -- long player to consist of strictly piano solos. While Ra's various Arkestras became infamous for their highly skilled and emotive bombast, these recordings prove that the bandleader easily retains his highly advanced and passionate echelon of intensity. The vast majority of the disc consists of original compositions with the sole exception being the Alan Jones' pop standard "Easy Street." Right out of the gate, Ra's trademark aggressive and highly advanced arrangements drive the motorized churn of "Space Towers" which features some distinct improvisations that build off of the central repetitive and industrial feeling progression. "Cogitation" provides a playful contrast while projecting a more scattered counterpoint which transmutes the melodic direction into an ethereal noir of childlike staccato. Both "Skylight" and "Blue Differentials" are entrancingly beautiful blues. Here Ra demonstrates his keen sense of melodic and harmonic structures. The former contains some of this efforts' most hauntingly memorable progressions, while the latter is equally captivating as it centers on a potent walking or stride style of blues delivery which at times borders on barrelhouse. Particularly notable is the charming resolution that concludes "Blue Differentials" with a grace that forgoes the otherwise slightly askew tune. The interpretation of "Easy Street" is relatively straightforward and retains much of song's amicable nature. About halfway through the performance Ra breaks into a lilting swing that complements the roly-poly nature featured in the introduction. The title track is one of the more introspective and pensive pieces on the album, sounding more like a personal statement rather a musical projection or interpretive effort. The chords build incrementally, weaving a languid sonic pastiche of varying styles and temperaments. For both the seasoned listener as well as the interested enthusiast, Monorails and Satellites allows for a wide variety of sonic horizons to explore.
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| 01. |  |
Space Towers |
3:37 |
|
| 02. | |
Cogitation |
6:35 |
|
| 03. | |
Skylight |
3:59 |
|
| 04. | |
The Alter Destiny |
3:07 |
|
| 05. | |
Easy Street |
3:37 |
|
| 06. | |
Blue Differentials |
2:54 |
|
| 07. | |
Monorails And Satellites |
5:35 |
|
| 08. | |
The Galaxy Way |
3:17 |
|
08 Total Tracks, 32:41 Total Length
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Credits
- Alton Abraham - Producer // Jerry Gordon - Producer // Jerry Gordon - Reissue Producer // Sun Ra - Piano // Sun Ra - Piano // Sun Ra - Piano // Sun Ra - Piano // Sun Ra - Piano // Sun Ra - Piano // Sun Ra - Piano // Sun Ra - Piano // Sun Ra - Main Performer // Sun Ra - Main Performer // Sun Ra - Main Performer // Sun Ra - Main Performer // Sun Ra - Main Performer // Sun Ra - Main Performer // Sun Ra - Main Performer // Sun Ra - Main Performer // Sun Ra - Performer // Sun Ra - Performer // Sun Ra - Performer // Sun Ra - Performer // Sun Ra - Performer // Sun Ra - Performer // Sun Ra - Performer // Sun Ra - Performer // Roger Seibel - Audio Restoration // Howard Mandel - Liner Notes // Dave Shirk - Pre-Mastering Engineer // Judith Salavetz - Art Direction // Spencer Drate - Art Direction // Jan Persson - Photography
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