Sun Ra - Toward The Stars (2021)

Toward the Stars is a sampling taken from Sun Ra's earliest recordings, originally released on his Saturn label and reissued in more complete form by Evidence. The music, dating from 1955-1956, features Ra's Arkestra at the time that they were a slightly left-of-center hard bop-based orchestra working in Chicago. While the leader's interests in outer space and ancient Egypt are felt in the song titles and the occasional vocals ("Spaceship Lullaby," which features the Nu-Sounds vocal quartet accompanied by Ra's piano, is particularly intriguing), much of the music is essentially straight-ahead jazz but with a few twists. Whether it is Ra's use of electric piano (in 1955!), a timpani solo, or a few of the more unusual-sounding ensembles, clearly Sun Ra was already looking ahead while still tied to the jazz tradition. Early solos from the likes of tenor saxophonist John Gilmore, baritonist Pat Patrick, trombonist Julian Priester, and trumpeter Art Hoyle add to this set's value, although completists will prefer to get the Evidence CDs. ~ Scott Yanow