Modern Harmonic Records 2019
A commentary on the music of the jazz futurist Sun Ra is a daunting engagement. Whatever you could say about him walks out the door on the other side of the room. You can go to wikipedia or read evaluations done by jazz savants all over the internet. Over a hundred eclectic records, dozens of singles and enumerable epic musicians festooning a path that still is trod to this day. (His band is still playing though intermittently). But in 1968, twenty five years into his career, June Tyson, the only female ever to grace the arkestra, joined in the cavalcade. She assumed role of vocalist, violinist, choreographer, costume maker and resident empress. Her presence, so hospitable to the bands sonic instincts, made palpable the fabrics interweaving all the minstrels.
A new compendium “June Tyson The Saturnian Queen of the Sun Ra Arkestra” recently washed up on the beaches of our alien time. In the tradition of radio-graphics, the record cover and ensuing pictorial contents within, raise the banner of her artistry. Choice vocal moments from her tenure over the groups’ history are well featured. Madam Tyson marked the jazz landscape prominently.
So what are we to make of this Sun Ra and his minions? Wayward, Testy, Utopian Proposals for a Bleary Planet?
Where do I sign up ?
June Tyson’s dream book
