Customer Reviews

Live at the Paradox

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When Sun Ra's spirit left the planet in 1993, the Sun Ra Arkestra continued to tour under the direction of Marshall Allen, who performed almost exclusively with Sun Ra from 1958 to 1993.

Maintaining an ambitious schedule over the years, the group was an "Artist in Residence" from September 15 to 20, 2008, at the Paradox Music Club, as part of ZXZW Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands. The nine tracks were recorded on the final evening and not only highlight the many incredible artistic twists from Sun Ra, but provide a glimpse into the future through newer members Farid Abdul-Bari Barron on piano/organ and Wayne Anthony Smith Jr. on drums.

Four compositions each were penned by Sun Ra and Allen, with the iconic Fletcher "Smack" Henderson remembered through a quality cover of his composition "Hocus Pocus." The avant-garde brilliance is chronicled through "Space Walk" and "Space Idol." The rhythmic bounce of "Disciple 27-B/I'll Wait For You" and sweet swing - with a powerful ending - of "Dreams Come True" are a prelude to a wonderful tenor sax solo by Charles Davis on "Velvet." Allen's alto sax solo and lead vocal - respectively - on "You'll Find Me" and "Millennium" find him leading by brilliant example, with "Take Off" delivering a wild sizzle.

Released on the independent jazz label In + Out Records - based in Freiburg, Germany - the album art has a 1960s feel and is an outstanding example how quality craft goes much farther than the initial on-stage recording.