Sun Ra

This is one of a couple Saturn releases recorded at the Squat Theater in New York in 1980. This is a large (20-plus pieces), well-recorded Arkestra with two vibes players, but rather than pulling out a bunch of elaborate charts, this album is really just a series of solo features punctuated by big space chords. "Voice of the Eternal Tomorrow" has Sun Ra going into full sci-fi mode, playing both the eerie soundtrack as well as voicing the battling aliens. "Approach of the Eternal Tomorrow" has more big space chords and some unbelievable high-register horn work. "The Rose Hue Mansions of the Sun" is still more big space chords and scary keyboard work, but Ra actually manages to find something of a tune briefly at the end. All in all, The Rose Hue Mansions of the Sun is somewhat unremarkable in the Ra canon, but is still a fine showcase for the Arkestra soloists. ~ Sean Westergaard, Rovi