The Magic City

by Sun Ra

Overview

The boundaries of Sun Ra's self-proclaimed "space jazz" underwent a transformation in the mid-'60s. The Magic City is an aural snapshot of that metamorphic process. Many enthusiasts and scholars consider this to be among Ra's most definitive studio recordings. Although the "city" in the album's title was thought to have been New York -- where the disc was recorded -- it is actually Ra's earthly birthplace of Birmingham, AL. The Magic City consists of four free jazz compositions: the album side-length title track, "The Shadow World," "Abstract Eye," and "Abstract I" -- two variants of a common work. These pieces are essentially ensemble improvisations recorded live. Any direction from Ra, indicating the order of soloists for instance, would be given either through his playing or with hand signals. The title track begins with weaving distant and frenetic lines from Ronnie Boykins (bass) and Ra (piano, clavoline), connected by intermittent eruptions from Roger Blank (drums). All the while, Marshall Allen's dreamlike piccolo randomly maneuvers through the sonic haze. The piece also contains an ensemble onslaught that abruptly contrasts with everything experienced up through that point. In the wake of the innately earthbound "Magic City" are three comparatively shorter pieces with subtle undercurrents that return Ra to space motifs. For example, the importance of sonic contrast defines "The Shadow World" by juxtaposing the lightly churning bass and cymbal into some surreal keyboard interjections from Ra. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	10/18/2024
Label:	Jazz Wax Records
UPC:	8435723701507
Rank:	169948

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sun Ra & His Solar Arkestra   Primary Artist
Sun Ra   Primary Artist,Harp,Drums,Piano,Celeste,Marimba,Timpani,Clavioline,Bass Marimba,Kettle Drums,Electronic Celeste
Sun Ra & His Arkestra   Primary Artist
Pat Patrick   Sax (Baritone),Flute,Timpani,Kettle Drums
John Gilmore   Percussion,Sax (Tenor)
Walter Miller   Trumpet
Roger Blank   Drums
Robert Cummings   Percussion,Clarinet (Bass)
Marshall Allen   Oboe,Flute,Piccolo,Percussion,Sax (Alto)
Teddy Nance   Trombone
Ali Hassan   Trombone
James Jacson   Percussion
Chris Capers   Trumpet,Percussion
Ronnie Boykins   Bass
Jimhmi Johnson   Drums,Percussion
Bernard Pettaway   Trombone (Bass)
Jimmy Johnson, Jr.   Drums
Harry Spencer   Sax (Alto)
Danny Davis   Flute,Percussion,Sax (Alto)

Technical Credits

Ihnfinity Inc.   Producer
Alton Abraham   Producer
John F. Szwed   Liner Notes
Jerry Gordon   Producer,Reissue Producer
Richard Alderson   Engineer
Tommy "Bugs" Hunter   Reverb
Roger Seibel   Pre-Mastering Engineer
Sun Ra   Arranger,Composer,Performer
Raymond Ross   Photography
William White   Cover Art