Sun Ra - Helsinki 1971 2 x CDs + 1 x DVD
SKU
18-Transparency 0314
"Live recordings of Sun Ra's large Intergalactic Solar Research Arkestra performing live in Helsinki, 1971, plus a DVD of a 1971 interview with The Finnish Broadcasting Company. Double CD contains an entire 2 1/2 hour concert showcasing all dimensions of the group: free jazz, psychedelia, the beautiful vocals of June Tyson, and a one-way ticket to space with several astounding Sun Ra synthesizer solos. The performance and recording quality are so great that this could easily pass for a missing studio album. The bonus DVD contains a short TV interview with Sun Ra filmed the same day as the broadcast concert, and was aired only once on Finnish television and was never seen again... until now! All proudly licensed from YLE - The Finnish Broadcasting Company."
"This Transparency Records release contains a complete radio broadcast from Finnish radio (YLE - The Finnish Broadcasting Company) recorded on October 14th, 1971, on two CDs, and a video interview on a separate DVD. The DVD is short and contains a few Ra responses to some questions and some footage of the Intergalactic Solar Research Arkestra setting up in the studio and some cuts of performance. The video does not contain any complete performances. But don't be put off by that. This is an excellent short interview disc. The audio quality of the broadcast performance is truly stellar by live recording standards, and is nearly as good as some of the Ra studio recordings of the period. There is a slight shallowness to some tracks, and the bass does dominate on two percussion heavy funky tracks, but I really like those tracks. The performances themselves are amazing, of course, and I am very excited by this set. There is quite a lot of variety here to satisfy most types of Ra fan, but there is an emphasis on the extended Disciplines type of performance. But this is not a purely free form outside excursion like some other period recordings. There is a well crafted and managed balance with a few lighter pieces and the solos from John Gilmore and Marshall Allen really blend very well with the arrangements, which give plenty of room for both of them and others to soar as required. The Ra solo does quote from a standard, but I can't quite identify it. It is very beautiful and drifts into space quite freely at times."-S Gilmur
- Format TypeNTSC
- Region CodingAll Region
- LabelTransparency