Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Sun Ra Arkestra: Seductive Fantasy
Sun Ra Arkestra: Seductive Fantasy
By Track review of "Seductive Fantasy"Baritone saxophonist Danny Ray Thompson and bassist Tyler Mitchell's three-note unison motif exerts a hypnotic groove that never lets up. A rich chorus of Duke Ellington-esque horns, percolating percussion, piano glissandi and sci-fi effects underpin a succession of solos. Alto saxophonistand Arkestra leaderMarshall Allen squeals ecstatically over gloriously riffing horns. Vincent Chancey pursues a more melodious course on French horn, while pianist Farid Barron unleashes a torrent of tumbling lines, flitting between bluesy elegance and angularity. The spacey soundscape swells as Allen's EVI and guitarist Dave Hotep's pedals effects come increasingly to the fore.
Vocalist Tara Middleton brings an additional layer of ethereality to the mix with her rap on vibrations and colors, before leading a typical Arkestra call and response. "Oh, the vibration is just a little different here," she intones. Different from 1979 certainly, but wonderfully uplifting all the same. Since this recording, sadly, Danny Ray Thompsonan Arkestra stalwart since 1967and conguero Atakatune Stanley Morgan, have left this planet. Their vibrations, however, carry on. An alternative, four- minute version of "Seductive Fantasy" features a brilliant, trippy animation by Chad VanGaalen that will delight old heads. The Sun Ra Arkestra marches proudly on.
Track Listing
Seductive Fantasy.
Personnel
Sun Ra Arkestra
band / ensemble / orchestraMarshall Allen
saxophone, altoKnoel Scott
saxophone, altoJames Stewart
saxophone, tenorDanny Ray Thompson
saxophone, baritoneMichael Ray
trumpetCecil Brooks
trumpetVincent Chancey
french hornDave Davis
tromboneFarid Barron
pianoTyler Mitchell
bassWayne A. Smith Jr.
drumsDave Hotep
guitarTara Middleton
vocalsAtakatune Stanley Morgan
percussionElson Nascimento
percussionAdditional Instrumentation
Marshall Allen: EVI (electronic valve Instrument); Knoel Scott: vocals; James Stewart: flute; Danny Ray Thompson: flute; Michael Ray: vocals; Tara Middleton: violin; Nelson Nascimento: Brazilian surdo drum.
Album information
Title: Seductive Fantasy | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Strut Records
< Previous
Angels Around
Comments
About Sun Ra Arkestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To