An early lyrical gem — from 1956 — mixing up big-band sonorities, ahead-of-its-time electric piano, and extra percussion.
Another unmissable Ra LP — previously impossible to find — from the same 1972 sessions as Space Is the Place. The opener Pan Afro is a modal tear-up bossed by Gilmore’s saxophone; the title track is a hugely enjoyable, side-long, Ra-led space chant.
The second NYC LP, from 1961, Ra on piano leading a three-saxes sextet away from the big-band Chicago sound, into the unknown. Plenty of Gilmore. Exotic Two is a terrific percussion-and-piano original.