Released 1969 Length 42:35 / 40:46 / 46:13 Release date 1969 Label El Saturn Records | Recorded c.1967 – 69 Artist The Sun Ra Arkestra Producer Alton Abraham | |
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Atlantis
(1969) My Brother the Wind
(1970) Genres Jazz, Avant-garde jazz, Free improvisation Similar The Sun Ra Arkestra albums, Jazz albums | ||
Atlantis is an album by jazz musician Sun Ra and his Astro-Infinity Arkestra released in 1969.
Contents
The album heavily features the "Solar Sound Instrument" – a Hohner Clavinet. One of the 4 compositions which originally featured on Side 1 of the original release was substituted by a different piece for the 1973 reissue, though reusing the same name, "Yucatan". Both pieces appear on the later CD reissue.
The title track covered the second side of the LP and is regarded as a key prototype for Sun Ra's performances through the 1970s. It was recorded at a 1967 concert at the Olatunji Center of African Culture in New York and has been described as "a masterpiece that twists and turns through many soundscapes".
'[The title track Atlantis is] one of Ra's most epic pieces, which is free or "space" jazz at its most invigorating. While virtually indescribable, the sonic churnings and juxtaposed images reveal a brilliant display of textures and tonalities set against an ocean of occasional rhythms. Its diversity alone makes this is an essential entry in the voluminous Sun Ra catalog.' Lindsay Planer
Track listing
The information is for the 12" Vinyl. All songs by Sun Ra
Side A:
- "Mu" – 4:30
- "Lemuria" – 5:02
- "Yucatan" (either Saturn version, 5:27 or Impulse! version, 3:38)
- "Bimini" – 5:45
Side B:
- "Atlantis" – 21:51
Side one probably recorded at Sun Studios, New York (the Arkestra's commune) between 1967 and 1969; side two was recorded at Olatunji's cultural center on 125th Street, NY, in 1967. When reissued on Evidence, both versions of Yucatan were included back to back. This arrangement remained when Sun Ra's entire back catalog was remastered and reissued by Ra's estate (under the supervision of Irwin Chusid) in 2014.
Personnel
Produced by: Ihnfinity Inc. and Alton Abraham
Musicians:
Songs
1Mu4:36
2Lemuria5:08
3Yucatan5:27