Sun Ra & His Arkestra – East Two +5

EAST TWO + 5 comprises previously unreleased tracks from one of Sun Ra's most productive periods: 1972-73. Those two hectic years saw Sun Ra recording numerous albums, staging concerts, teaching at Berkeley, acting in and composing the score for a full-length movie, embarking on a multi-album (though ill-fated) major label deal, and touring the U.S. and Europe. The title track, East Two, is one of two pieces on this album originating at a two day October 1972 session at Chicago's Streeterville Studios. It's an ominous, sprawling processional, and the only known recording of this moody work. Arkestra baritone saxophonist Pat Patrick played electric bass on this session, which also featured Ra's typically idiosyncratic synth, along with fine solos from Kwame Hadi (trumpet) and Arkestra mainstay John Gilmore (tenor sax). The other track is an alternate version of Rocket #9 where Ra's voice is scarcely heard in the ensemble vocals in favor of the Space Ethnic Voices. Additional material is taken from 1973 Variety Studios sessions in NYC including In Tomorrow's Realm, where veteran Arkestra bassist Ronnie Boykins provided the anchor with his bass line forming it's vital rhythmic framework. This would be the final year Boykins worked regularly with Ra and this track is a fitting tribute to his role in the band, demonstrating how essential he was to Sun Ra's sound.