Sun Ra - On Jupiter

2008

 Somehow, after years of making albums that were dark, sinister, profound and avant-garde, Sun Ra curated On Jupiter. This album is bags of fun, with Sun Ra crafting possibly his first and last space age album that dives in to the genre we all know and love: disco.

"UFO" is the disco track in question, and though it’s nine minutes long, it’s over in a flash. The rhythm section, namely Steve Clarke on bass and Luqman Ali on drums are devilishly tight, laying a funky groove that allows the band to get their two pence in. The track oozes sex appeal, and establishes a mainstream approach to music that was often unheard of for Sun Ra. It’s refreshing, yet integral.

The rest of the record is typical of the golden era of Sun Ra. The 17-minute "Seductive Fantasy" is stripped down free jazz at its finest. While the instruments wonder and experiment periodically, the core of the music is sumptuous. Sun Ra’s stripped down piano is comforting and warm, and it’s a joy to hear him take centre stage and showcase his musicality.

Like all Sun Ra albums, this album showcases a delightful cocktail of musicians. Sun Ra makes it all work. He was a talent that could relentlessly change his style by factoring in a cataclysm of experimental sounds, crafted by musicians who had absolute faith in him. On Jupiter is just one example of his orchestrating talents and musical diversity.