Of all the labels that have attached to the work of Sun Ra over the years – Afrofuturism, experimental music, avant-garde, neo-swing – the one that makes most sense is “space music”. It’s also the one that most often misleads. It isn’t all about flying saucers and alien civilisations, but it is about space, which is the dimension in which music functions. Has any composer/arranger ever used it more effectively? Listen again to Heliocentric Worlds ... but without dwelling on the scientistic or sci-fi title, and you’ll hear – and see – what I mean ... (Brian Morton) Line Up Heliocentric Worlds 1 (track #1-#7): Sun Ra - electronic celesta, piano, tympani on #2 John Gilmore - tenor saxophone, tympani on #1 & 5 Marshall Allen - piccolo, alto saxophone, bells, spirit cymbals on #4 Robert Cummings - bass clarinet, wood blocks Danny Davis - flute, alto saxophone Teddy Nance - trombone Bernard Pettaway - bass trombone Chris Capers - trumpet Ronnie Boykins - double bass Jimhmi Johnson - percussion & tvmpani on #3 & 4 Line Up Heliocentric Worlds 2 (track #8-#10): Sun Ra - piano, tuned bongos John Gilmore - tenor saxophone, percussion Marshall Allen - piccolo, alto saxophone, flute, percussion Robert Cummings - bass clarinet, percussion Pat Patrick - baritone saxophone, percussion Walter Miller - trumpet Ronnie Boykins - double bass Roger Blank - percussion

Program

1. Heliocentric 04:14 2. Outer Nothingness 07:38 3. Other Worlds 04:33 4. The Cosmos 07:27 5. Heavenly Things 05:31 6. Nebulae 03:20 7. Dancing In The Sun 01:54 8. The Sun Myth 17:46 9. House Of Beauty 04:45 10. Cosmic Chaos 14:50