Superb, revered version-excursion in the grand tradition of Tempo Explosion. Willie Williams kicks off imperiously, on a classic Rhythm & Sound rhythm adroitly evoking Niney’s way with horns. Sugar and Tikkiman take a turn, besides Berlin faces like Cotton and Rod Of Iron. No one puts a foot wrong.

The first definitive expanded reissue of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Sun Ra’s 1977 session recorded at the Bluebird in Bloomington, Indiana, restoring previously excised material and more of the natural transitions between pieces.
‘The Arkestra were at the peak of their powers in 1977, releasing revered albums like The Soul Vibration Of Man and My Favorite Things, with Arkestra regulars Marshall Allen, Danny Ray Thompson, Michael Ray and Luqman Ali among the core musicians. Ra also continued his touring in Europe with historic gigs in Italy. During this period, Arkestra live performances were often loosely structured into thematic blocks that moved from reflections on jazz history to cosmic ‘space narrative’ sections featuring collective chants, extended Africa/Egypt-inspired grooves and selections from the Great American Songbook. This recording brings in all of these features with re-imagined versions of standards like Take The A Train, St. Louis Blues, and title track Over The Rainbow, alongside rarely recorded Ra compositions like Make Another Mistake and Amen Meni Many Amens. Ra conducted improvisations to guide the listener seamlessly from one musical scene to the next. As he described it: ‘It’s like a party—we enjoy ourselves and everybody’s invited to enjoy it with us.’
Newly remastered using the original source tapes; extensive new liner notes by Chris Cutler

Cornerstone, fully-matured Ubiquity runnings from 1976, with classics like the killer Searching, The Memory, One Sweet Love to Remember, and the laid-back, atmospheric title track. Beloved by the hip hop nation; flipped by luminaries like A Tribe Called Quest, Dilla, Dre, and Common.

With Joe Lovano, Larry Grenadier, Thomas Morgan, AC, Jorge Rossy & Joey Baron.

Superb Blood & Fire selection of scattered late-seventies outings, all in discomixes. Treasures include the opener, Reggae Rhythm, with its blaring horns, originally out on Trio International; the 12” mix of Pure Ranking by Jammy, at Tubby’s; and the deadly triumvirate of Everton Da Silva productions — Youths Of Today, Don’t Let Problems Get You Down and Mr. Bassie.

The dubs of the original Scientist LP, plus the corresponding vocal sides by Johnny Osbourne, Hugh Mundell and Wayne Jarrett.

The pioneering Arkestra bassist — that’s him playing arco on Rocket No. 9. in 1959 — leading his own 1975 session, evenly grooving and improvisatory, with great tunes. Check the Middle Eastern vibes of the opener.

A 1965 trio led by Ayler’s great bassist, with drummer Tom Price, and an early opportunity to hear the under-appreciated clarinettist Perry Robinson in full flight.