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Seasons: The Space Music of John Serrie
John Serrie /
CD / 2002/2 discs
Artist: John Serrie
Produced By: John Serrie
Record Label: New World Company
There
is no sound in space, of course, and yet over the years certain conventions have
grown up, especially in film, as composers and sound effects people have tried
to provide aural equivalents to the sights of stars and planets moving through
the void. By now, listeners "know" what space sounds like, and John
Serrie's series of albums, some of their material drawn from the soundscapes
he has developed for planetarium shows, well represent these impressions. In the
slow-moving patterns, bits of melody and rhythm are heard here and there, but
most of the music is open-ended: if not formless, it nevertheless employs loose
structures in which moods or themes can stretch or be abruptly terminated. Century
Seasons is a two-disc compilation in which tracks from earlier Serrie
albums have been remixed and woven together to create a lengthy journey through
musical space. There are two newly written tracks that fit in well with the
rest. The result is an album that blends familiar sections in new contexts with
previously unheard efforts.
1:
Gentle; the Night (7:15)
2: Deep Mystery (4:32)
3: The Tachyon Directive (7:23)
4: Starport Indra (7:09)
5: Century Seasons (5:43)
6: Tingri Maiden (8:45)
7: The Legacy (7:55)
8: The Far River (10:13)
9: Welcome Home (8:49)
10: Andromeda Dream (6:11)
11: Continuum (5:00)
12: Aftervisions (5:43)
13: The Century Princess (5:25)
14: Land of Lyss (7:01)
15: The Straights of Madigann (9:41)
16: Glyder (8:51)
17: The Ancient of Days (9:24)
18: The Last Secret (7:10)
Ray
[3] / CD / 2003
Artist: Ray [3]
Produced By: Suzanne Doucet, Jeff Silverman, Craig Sharmat
Record Label: Ray Leonard
Ray Leonard took the term he used to describe his second CD -- "healing
space music" -- and paraphrased it for the title of his third CD, Healing
Space. This is a set of glorious symphonic synthesizer anthems. His
atmospheres speak loudly to and from his spiritual and emotional beings. Every
note is full of warmth and love. Leonard invites listeners to enter and
share his world for almost 66 minutes. Suzanne Doucet, a leading new
age sound designer and a good friend, co-produced the CD with Leonard.
Healing Space will appeal to fans of Tania Rose, Jonn Serrie,
and David Helpling.
1:
Healing Space (5:57)
2: The Glory Tree (6:42)
3: Unconditional (7:34)
4: Uplifting Spirits (5:43)
5: Endless Fields (4:44)
6: Transcending Worlds (5:33)
7: Galaxies Dreaming (5:34)
8: Sun Prayer (4:26)
9: Pax Universalis (5:42)
10: Moonrise (5:49)
11: The Body Temple (5:13)
12: Sanctuary (2:51)
Various
Artists / CD
Artist: Various Artists
Produced By: Brian Keane, Hilary Davis
Record Label: Hearts of Space
This
is the second compilation release from Hearts of Space, the label
outgrowth of the popular public radio program dedicated to space music. Bill
Douglas, Raphael, and Robert Rich return from Universe
Sampler 90, but 92 also features a few notable newcomers. Giles
Reaves gets things started with the pensive, black hole-gazing "Evolutions/Twilight,"
while Tim Story turns in two of the album's strongest pieces in "And
Evening Falls" and "Her Cathedral." The latter track
especially shows the depth of space music; while it's predominantly a
piano-driven composition, Story is nevertheless able to evoke a
bottomless range of depth with just a few carefully placed plinks of the
keyboard. The song also points to the HOS imprint's aggressive roster
expansion (in addition to its already rampant mind expansion) -- Universe
Sampler 92 features the tasteful new age ivory tinkling of John
Boswell, who tempers the spacy elements of "Eastern Sky"
with a more conventional song structure. Guaranteed to land safely in the
backyard of space music aficionados everywhere, this Hearts of Space
comp also tosses a lifeline to listeners curious about the genre's particularly
amorphous gravitational pull.
1:
EvolutionsTwilight (9:48)
2: Sagrada Familia (4:20)
3: Tracery (4:36)
4: Songs of the Harper (5:21)
5: Deirdre of the Sorrows (4:54)
6: Leap! (3:30)
7: Gliding Song (5:09)
8: And Evening Falls (2:25)
9: Her Cathedral (5:06)
10: Earth Prayer (4:59)
11: Recuerdos de la Alhambra (5:47)
12: Surrender (9:00)
13: Eastern Star (4:50)
14: Waltz (4:50)
Steve
Roach / CD / 2003
Artist: Steve Roach
Produced By: Steve Roach
Record Label: Projekt
There
are not many musicians creative, bold, imaginative, and talented enough to
release a four-CD set of new material. Steve Roach is all of that and the
proverbial glazed doughnut. Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces is close to
five hours of deep and dark -- even dank -- ambience from this living legend.
Each disc has its own thematic and sonic integrity. Each disc interacts with the
other discs as well. Roach has sequenced this set and designed the sound
to display complements and contrasts in imagery, sensory perception, and
spiritual proclivity. The first disc -- Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces --
takes listeners to the edges of reality immediately and gently. The deep
atmospheres surround listeners and leave them with no escape routes. Of course,
deep listeners will neither need nor want to escape. They will surrender to the
moment. The moment is now. The moment is later. The moment is gone.
The moment is eternal. The experience is existential and spiritual.
Labyrinth -- disc two -- is suitable for losing oneself. Roach's shamanic
rituals take listeners deeper into the zone. The psyche is lost in the realms of
this bottomless pit, this cavern of the surreal. There are no impossible worlds
on this journey. In the realms of nothingness, deep listeners see everything. In
seeing everything, listeners gather knowledge. The ritual continues to begin and
begins to continue.
Disc three -- Recent Future -- might be some of the best e-music ever. It
continues the continuation of the continuous continuity. It relates to
everything and reveals nothing. These atmospheres and soundscapes are
intoxicating. Roach's free-flowing sound world has no structure within
its tight structure. The simplicity of this intricate sound design is an
absolute truth. In truth, there is beauty. In beauty, there is truth. Piece of
Infinity is classic Roach. It is a long form (74-minute) journey through
the realms of incongruities. The music continues to start and it begins to end. Roach
is bringing listeners up from the depths and down from the heights. There are no
limits and no edges. The languid pace is the perfect end, the perfect
transition, and the perfect beginning. The surrender is gradual. The goal is to
achieve the goal. These four discs are interchangeable in the progression of Roach's
shamanic ritual. Taken in its totality, the set defines itself and Roach's
career. He will go to any length, depth, or height to find knowledge, truth,
beauty, character, and spirituality. This is a truly unique experience. The only
logical comparisons are from Roach's discography. [Mystic Chords &
Sacred Spaces can be purchased as a single four-CD box set or in two
separate packages that each contain two CDs, one pairing the Mystic Chords &
Sacred Spaces and Labyrinth discs, and the other pairing the Recent Future and
Piece of Infinity discs.]
1:
Palace of Nectar (14:15)
2: Oracle (20:06)
3: Within the Mystic (15:52)
4: Presence (11:47)
5: Vortex Ring (11:51)
6: Wren and Raven (14:49)
7: The Otherworld (4:48)
8: Wonderworld (9:07)
9: Threshold (2:20)
10: Dream Body (11:12)
11: Slowly Dissolve (4:15)
12: Womb of Night (2:42)
13: Soulwave (11:00)
14: Wordless (4:06)
15: Nameless (9:29)
Various
Artists / CD
Artist: Various Artists
Produced By: Stephen Hill
Record Label: Hearts of Space
Universe 3 by Hearts of Space Artists "exhibits ambient music's more
sophisticated direction with stronger influences from other genres of
music." Especially evident are the achievements by such ambient artists as Bill
Douglas, David Darling, Steve Roach and Robert Rich and
Michael Stearns showcased on this new release and their apparent
influence by jazz, world music, classical, and even klezmer. The experimentation
in styles is artfully folded into an overall serious introspective sound that
tugs ever so slightly on the heart strings.
1:
Another WorldLand of the Mermaids (9:38)
2: Night Journey (5:27)
3: Why (6:11)
4: Minor Blue (5:08)
5: After Four O'Clock (3:53)
6: The Quilt (3:13)
7: Four A.M. (4:54)
8: Sky 8 (3:45)
9: Nightshade (6:16)
10: Lifeblood (5:09)
11: Different Deserts (5:24)
12: The Ringing Desert (4:12)
13: Baraka Theme (6:26)
14: First Blessing (6:51)
Various
Artists / CD / 1990
Artist: Various Artists
Record Label: Hearts of Space
This
compilation marks the establishment of the Hearts of Space radio program's very
own label imprint. Continuing with the space music format established by
the popular public radio show, initial Hearts of Space signees included Kevin
Braheny, Constance Demby, Bill Douglas, and Al Gromer Khan.
While early pieces from Braheny and Douglas access more
conventional (or at least contemporary instrumental) rhythms, Universe
Sampler soon lives up to the grandeur of its name with songs that drift on
comets' tails and soar into the cosmos. Raphael's "Disappearing
Into You" seems timed to match a sunset, while Robert Rich's
fabulously named "Forest Dreams of Bach" drifts like dust in a
sunbeam. While the longest composition here just scrapes the nine-minute mark,
most of these songs could seemingly go on forever. Percussion is almost a
non-issue, and melodies are like rubber bands stretched to their breaking point.
Listening to the set becomes an exercise in audio spelunking, discovering new
nooks and crannies inside the enormous cavern called space music. It's
not for everyone, but for those who get it, Universe Sampler will provide
hours of entertainment (even if it's really only 80 minutes).
1:
Starflight 1 (1:39)
2: 'Til You Get There (3:42)
3: Silver Caravan (6:26)
4: Arcturian Sunbird (6:35)
5: Highland (3:23)
6: Angelico (4:51)
7: Waltz of Joy (4:47)
8: Moving On (4:44)
9: Disappearing Into You (8:44)
10: Fearless (4:32)
11: The Forest Dreams of Bach (5:45)
12: Moments (4:24)
13: Sakura (3:58)
14: Moghul Lace (6:04)
15: Star Dreams (4:06)
Various
Artists / CD / 1999
Artist: Various Artists
Produced By: Bill Douglas, Brian Keane, Robert Rich, Øystein Sevåg,
Jeff Johnson, Hubert Bognermayr, Mychael Danna, Jeff Danna, Michael Jay, Ulrich
Rutzel, Jeff Shuey, Harald Zuschrader, Ellen Holmes
Record Label: Hearts Of Space
Universe 5 unites world music and space music in a dynamic blend. This Hearts
of Space collection features some of the label's finest artists, including Oystein
Sevag, the Blue Chip Orchestra, Robert Rich and the Ars
Nova Singers. A fascinating hybrid of new age, Celtic, Native American, and
Arabic styles, Universe 5 is an out-of-this-world global collection.
1:
Spiral (1:13)
2: Circle (5:22)
3: Pinehurst (4:09)
4: Hills of Ireland (4:21)
5: Funeral (3:42)
6: I'll Carry You Through (6:56)
7: The Cloud (5:19)
8: Hymn of the Cherubim (7:35)
9: Navigatio (5:31)
10: Oceanus (4:19)
11: Hanwi: The Moon (6:34)
12: Ashes Cold and White (5:42)
13: Coils (6:04)
Steve
Roach/Kevin Braheny / CD
Artist: Steve Roach, Kevin Braheny & Richard Burmer
Produced By: Kevin Braheny, Richard Burmer, Steve Roach, Thom Brennan,
Chuck Oken, Jr.
Record Label: Capitol
In
1987, Steve Roach conceptualized an album of ambient music based
on the deserts of the American Southwest. He and project producer Chuck Oken
recruited two more of California's top synthesists, Kevin Braheny and Richard
Burmer. Together they created Western Spaces. This is where desert
ambience began. Over the years, Roach has perfected the style and has
become its leading progenitor. And this CD has influenced a decade of
synthesists. This trio, working individually and collectively, created the
prototype. Even after some alterations, this is still the CD that defines
the roots of the style. This CD was reissued later in 1987 on Fortuna
with Thom Brennan and new tracks replacing Burmer and his tracks.
1:
The Breathing Stone (6:46)
2: Desert Walkabout (7:03)
3: New Moon at Forbidden Mesa (5:40)
4: Desert Prayer (12:33)
5: In the Heat of Venus (22:33)
6: The Slow Turning (7:40)
7: Western Spaces (6:07)
Constance
Demby / CD / 1986
Artist: Constance Demby
Produced By: Constance Demby, Anna Turner
Record Label: Hearts of SpaceThis two-part album of symphonic space music
by Constance Demby is a "must have." Divinely inspired?
Probably so; for those who believe in Fate, the timing of its release was in
alignment with the arrival of the Harmonic Convergence. Demby, with her
years on the road with an experimental music group, was used to creating massive
spiritual works: large sounds, unusual instruments, and broad scope. Novus
Magnificat was her first album produced with her 16-track studio using
digital sampling technology. Here, she had all the voices of the orchestra and
choir at her fingertips, and she used all 16 tracks (and then some) to complete
the composition. The music is in two parts: Part One is like wandering the halls
of heaven before the Big Event. Choirs sounds bounce from cloud formations, and
redemption seems at hand. Though Demby sets an overall path of sound, rhapsodic
cul-de-sacs appear like intimate and sacred shrines. Part Two begins with a
Bach-like organ piece, which creates fascinating inner structures. Demby
then takes you through long hallways; angels sing nearby, melodies tug at your
heart, space winds clean away cobwebs of the mind. Trumpets begin their
heralding calls, an organ sings in anticipation, choirs rejoice, harps fly,
shooting stars sparkle. Peak builds on crescendo until ultimately, the cosmos
splits open and the whole universe joyously avalanches through with the angels
enjoying the ride. This awe-inspiring and breathtaking "annointment"
is worth playing on a good sound system. Crank up the sound, place yourself
between the speakers, and allow yourself the gift of this music. Spacemusic
composer Michael Stearns contributed special celestial sonic effects.
1:
Part One (26:24)
2: Part Two (27:14)
Music
From Tomorrow's World
Sun Ra &
His Arkestra / CD / 2002
Artist: Sun Ra & His Arkestra
Genre: Jazz
Produced By: John Corbett
Record Label: Atavistic
Music From Tomorrow's World is a fascinating document and a boon to Sun Ra
collectors. It gathers previously unheard tapes from two sources: one from the
Wonder Inn club and one from Majestic Hall, probably a rehearsal.
Both were recorded in 1960, toward the end of the Arkestra's Chicago
period. The Wonder Inn tape is especially revealing, as it presents the
Arkestra in front of a crowd. And although Saturn album releases from
the period feature Ra compositions almost exclusively, this set shows
they played standards as well during their live shows. The sound is
surprisingly good, although one wishes the woman near the tape recorder would
shut up once in a while. (Her comments range from "You gonna take me to
eat?" to "Play it, Sun Ray! Play it like you want!") The first
two tunes feature flutes heavily, then John Gilmore takes over the show
starting with "Space Aura." Ricky Murray croons up a
storm on the Gershwin standard "S Wonderful," with great
Arkestra backing vocals on both Gershwin tunes. Ra's
arrangement of "It Ain't Necessarily So" is quite interesting,
and his arrangement of "China Gate" was clearly the inspiration
for his own "Overtones of China" on the album Visits Planet
Earth. The sound on the Majestic Hall session is not nearly as good,
but the music surely is. This set has the Arkestra concentrating on
original compositions, except for Harry Revel's "Possession"
(another composer fascinated by space in the '50s). Gilmore is, again, in
fine form, and there is the added bonus of four tracks that have not been
otherwise recorded or identified. Music From Tomorrow's World is a
fantastic document that casts some new light on an important period of the
Arkestra's career. This was when it all came together for this one-of-a-kind
band: the music, the costumes, the cosmology, and overall presentation. Shortly
after, the Arkestra would leave Chicago for good. The Delmark
albums and Evidence reissues of Saturn albums from the period
would be the first stopping place for the Sun Ra novice, but Music
From Tomorrow's World is highly recommended for fans of this important early
portion of the Arkestra's history.
1:
Angels and Demons at Play [Live] (3:23)
2: Spontaneous Simplicity [Live] (3:11)
3: Space Aura [Live] (3:28)
4: 'S Wonderful [Live] (3:34)
5: It Ain't Necessarily So [Live] (4:41)
6: How High the Moon [Live] (6:28)
7: China Gates [Live] (4:01)
8: Majestic 1 (4:29)
9: Ankhnaton (3:55)
10: Possession (6:27)
11: Tapestry From an Asteroid (2:06)
12: Majestic 2 (6:04)
13: Majestic 3 (3:05)
14: Majestic 4 (6:24)
15: Velvet (4:35)
16: A Call for All Demons (2:05)
17: Interstellar Low Ways (Introduction) (0:27)
Artist: Sun Ra & His Intergalactic Arkestra
Genre: Jazz
Produced By: Alton Abraham, John Sinclair
Record Label: Total Energy
Recorded
on September 9, 1973 at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, this is a
fair-fidelity live document. Of the three tracks, "Discipline 99"
and "Love in Outer Space" are by far the more cacophonous, with
Sun Ra's spooky farfisa organ and mini-moog being by far the most
interesting elements in the inscrutable brew. The 20-minute medley "At
First There Was Nothing/The Universe Has More to Offer You/Wake Up Angels/Outer
Space Employment Agency" -- yes, that's the full title -- is more
ingratiating. Anchored on a lilting swing groove, much of it is devoted to the
inimitable, and uplifting if not purely sensical, cosmic rap-philosophizing of the
Arkestra, joined by vocalist June Tyson.
1:
Discipline "99" (13:49)
2: Love in Outer Space (4:58)
3: WatusaDisciplline 27-11 (13:10)
4: At First There Was NothingThe Universe Has More to Offer YouWake up a (20:14)
Futuristic
Sounds of Sun Ra
Sun Ra / CD /
1961
Artist: Sun Ra
Genre: Jazz
Produced By: Tom Wilson, Tom Wilson
Record Label: Savoy
Sun Ra's only release for the Savoy label is a gem. Recorded in
October of 1961, this is probably the first recording the Arkestra made
after arriving in New York. As such, you're dealing with a smallish Arkestra
(seven main instrumentalists, joined by vocalist Ricky Murray on "China
Gate") that's still playing the boppish, highly arranged music
characteristic of the Chicago years (1954-1961). Ra sticks to acoustic
piano for the entire session, but various percussion instruments are dispersed
throughout the band, giving a slightly exotic flavor to some of the tunes. John
Gilmore plays bass clarinet on a couple tunes (as well as some great tenor
solos), and Marshall Allen's flute playing is excellent, as always. This
album was produced by Tom Wilson, who also produced the first Sun Ra
LP, Jazz by Sun Ra (1956) for the Transition label, later reissued
by Delmark as Sun Song (Wilson later went on to sign the
Mothers of Invention to Verve and "electrified" Bob
Dylan). With the exception of "The Beginning," all the
tunes are very accessible. This is one to play for the mistaken folks who
think the Arkestra did nothing but make noise. Excellent. [The 2003
mastering job sounds great.]
1:
Bassism (4:03)
2: Of Sounds and Something Else (2:51)
3: What's That? (2:13)
4: Where Is Tomorrow? (2:47)
5: The Beginning (6:25)
6: China Gates (3:22)
7: New Day (5:49)
8: Tapestry from an Asteroid (3:00)
9: Jet Flight (3:13)
10: Looking Outward (2:48)
11: Space Jazz Reverie (4:50)
Sound
Sun Pleasure
Sun Ra
Arkestra / CD
Artist: Sun Ra Arkestra
Genre: Jazz
Produced By: Alton Abraham, Jerry Gordon
Record Label: Evidence
The
first half-dozen cuts on Sun Sound Pleasure!! (1970) are thought to have
been documented between 1958 and 1960, during Sun Ra and his Astro-Infinity
Arkestra's residency in Chicago. Although Ra's arrangements are as
intricate and involved as any from the era, the song list draws heavily upon
standards. That said, it might be recommended as a starting point for parties
not acclimated to the artist's later and exceedingly aggressive free and
avant-garde leanings. Hatty Randolph (vocals) joins the combo for a pair
of refined vocals on the covers of “‘Round Midnight" and “Back
In Your Own Backyard". The Arkestra complement Randolph's
full-bodied delivery with such finesse, it is a wonder there isn't evidence of
more frequent collaborations like this. She adds a bluesy melancholia that
nicely offsets the instrumentation. “You Never Told Me That You Care"
-- co-written by Ra and Hobart Dotson (trumpet) -- stunningly
demonstrates Ra's unmatched scoring and superlative sense of melody. The
sweeping and languid tempo allows the tune to unravel organically. “Enlightenment"
-- another co-composition by the pair -- is slightly more indicative of Ra's
complex approach, as well as the style that would inform his later work, noted
by the band's stridency around the comparatively progressive harmonics. When Sun
Sound Pleasure was issued on compact disc in 1992, an additional seven
selections were included. Chronologically, they are among the earliest known
from Sun Ra, recorded at various times and locations between 1953 and
1956, yielding understandably sporadic sound quality. “Deep Purple"
-- from a session held in Ra's apartment -- features contributions by Stuff
Smith, while Wilbur Ware (bass) duets on an emotive “Can This Be
Love". Art Hoyle (trumpet) makes one of his first Arkestra
appearances on the bouncy post-bop original “Dreams Come True"
that also sports a rare Clyde Williams vocal.
1:
'Round Midnight (3:55)
2: You Never Told Me That You Care (5:36)
3: Hour of Parting (4:52)
4: Back in Your Own Backyard (2:07)
5: Enlightenment (5:09)
6: I Could Have Danced All Night (3:11)
7: Deep Purple (4:02)
8: Piano Interlude (1:55)
9: Can This Be Love? (6:00)
10: Dreams Come True (3:07)
11: Don't Blame Me (2:53)
12: 'S Wonderful (2:18)
13: Lover, Come Back to Me (2:48)
Musician
and filmmaker Phill Niblock turns his lens on the legendary avant-garde
jazz artist Sun Ra in this experimental short subject. Shot
using a high-contrast negative film process and composed in a series of extreme
close-ups of the hands and mouths of Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra,
Sun Ra: The Magic Sun is an impressionistic look at these influential jazz
artists, with the images providing a counterpoint to the unique energy of Ra's
music.
Cosmic
Tones for Mental Therapy/Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow
Sun Ra / CD /
1963
Artist: Sun Ra
Genre: Jazz
Produced By: Alton Abraham, Jerry Gordon
Record Label: Evidence
There
has always been some controversy revolving around Sun Ra, but few of his
albums ever generated more discussion than Cosmic Tones For Mental Therapy,
which covers half the 12 numbers on this two-LP, single-disc outing. Ra
played "astro space organ," and the array of swirling tones, funky
licks and smashing rhythms, aided and abetted by John Gilmore on bass
clarinet, Marshall Allen on oboe, and arrangements that sometimes had
multiple horns dueling in the upper register and other times pivoting off
careening beats, outraged those in the jazz community who thought Eric Dolphy
and John Coltrane had already taken things too far.
1:
And Otherness (5:11)
2: Thither and Yon (4:03)
3: Adventure-Equation (8:28)
4: Moon Dance (6:37)
5: Voice of Space (7:43)
6: Cluster of Galaxies (2:24)
7: Ankh (6:10)
8: Solar Drums (2:29)
9: The Outer Heavens (4:50)
10: Infinity of the Universe (7:11)
11: Lights on a Satellite (3:12)
12: Kosmos in Blue (8:06)
