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Sun Ra Arkestra: Seductive Fantasy

By Ian Patterson
July 8, 2020
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Track review of "Seductive Fantasy"

It seems entirely fitting that "Seductive Fantasy," the single from the Sun Ra Arkestra's first studio album in twenty years, should be a reworking of an old song, one that dates back over forty years to On Jupiter (El Saturn, 1979). With Sun Ra it was ever thus; old is new and new is old. The original "Seductive Fantasy" was a sprawling, seventeen-minute affair that morphed from loose groove and extended soloing into increasingly abstract, and almost arrhythmic terrain. Significantly shorter at just under eleven minutes, the new version is more consistent in structure, and more of a psychedelic trip.

Baritone saxophonist

Danny Ray Thompson

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Danny Ray Thompson and bassist

Tyler Mitchell

bass
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Tyler Mitchell's three-note unison motif exerts a hypnotic groove that never lets up. A rich chorus of

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington-esque horns, percolating percussion, piano glissandi and sci-fi effects underpin a succession of solos. Alto saxophonist—and Arkestra leader—

Marshall Allen

saxophone, alto
b.1924

" data-original-title="" title="">Marshall Allen squeals ecstatically over gloriously riffing horns.

Vincent Chancey

french horn

" data-original-title="" title="">Vincent Chancey pursues a more melodious course on French horn, while pianist

Farid Barron

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Farid Barron unleashes a torrent of tumbling lines, flitting between bluesy elegance and angularity. The spacey soundscape swells as Allen's EVI and guitarist

Dave Hotep

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Hotep's pedals effects come increasingly to the fore.

Vocalist

Tara Middleton

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Tara Middleton brings an additional layer of ethereality to the mix with her rap on vibrations and colors, before leading a typical Arkestra call and response. "Oh, the vibration is just a little different here," she intones. Different from 1979 certainly, but wonderfully uplifting all the same. Since this recording, sadly, Danny Ray Thompson—an Arkestra stalwart since 1967—and conguero

Atakatune Stanley Morgan

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Atakatune Stanley Morgan, have left this planet. Their vibrations, however, carry on. An alternative, four- minute version of "Seductive Fantasy" features a brilliant, trippy animation by Chad VanGaalen that will delight old heads. The Sun Ra Arkestra marches proudly on.

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Track Listing

Seductive Fantasy.

Personnel

Sun Ra Arkestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

Marshall Allen

saxophone, alto

Knoel Scott

saxophone, alto

James Stewart

saxophone, tenor

Danny Ray Thompson

saxophone, baritone

Michael Ray

trumpet

Cecil Brooks

trumpet

Vincent Chancey

french horn

Dave Davis

trombone

Farid Barron

piano

Tyler Mitchell

bass

Wayne A. Smith Jr.

drums

Dave Hotep

guitar

Tara Middleton

vocals

Atakatune Stanley Morgan

percussion

Elson Nascimento

percussion

Additional Instrumentation

Marshall Allen: EVI (electronic valve Instrument); Knoel Scott: vocals; James Stewart: flute; Danny Ray Thompson: flute; Michael Ray: vocals; Tara Middleton: violin; Nelson Nascimento: Brazilian surdo drum.

Album information

Title: Seductive Fantasy | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Strut Records

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