Ahmed Abdullah

Sun Ra - Mayan Temples (1990) {Black Saint 120121-2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 441 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 187 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 14 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1990 Black Saint | 120121-2
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Experimental Big Band / Progressive Jazz

One of the finest Sun Ra recordings from his final years, this effort is particularly recommended due to the many Ra keyboard solos and John Gilmore features, the latter of which include a tenor showcase on "Opus In Springtime." Trumpeters Michael Ray and Ahmed Abdullah, altoist Marshall Allen and singer June Tyson also have their spots, and the repertoire consists of ten Ra originals (including a remake of "El Is the Sound of Joy") and three standard ballads. Overall, this is a fine all-around studio set. Recommended.

Seikatsu Kojyo Iinkai - Seikatsu Kojyo Iinkai (1975) {Off Note Japan NON-25, Mini LP rel 2016}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 313 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 111 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 105 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1975, 2016 ALM Records / Off Note Japan | NON-25
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz

This is rare private free jazz LP, perhaps best known as one of the most obscure items on Thurston Moore's infamous free jazz underground top ten. It appears that "Seikatsu Kojyo Iinkai" means "Life improvement committee". The first two tracks, are great free jazz suites, very creative, very energetic. I think "Not So Long Don" is really interesting though, because it's like an attempt to apply the atmosphere and ideas that motivated the creation of "Stravizauls" and "Kim" to a much more conventional context. I'm not entirely sure it works but it's such an interesting attempt that I'm more than willing to forgive it.

Sun Ra & His Arkestra - Live At Montreux (1976) {2CD Set P-Vine Japan Mini LP PCD-22032~3 rel 2003}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 459 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 192 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1976, 2003 Inner City Records / P-Vine Japan | PCD-22032~3
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Experimental Big Band / Jazz Funk / Progressive Jazz

One of Sun Ra's best non-Saturn live sets of the 70s – a nice little record that shows the group mixing it up with equal parts avant garde and straight ahead jazz, all handled in that ever-growing large group style that made them a real force to be reckoned with in a concert setting! The album was recorded during the 1976 Montreux Jazz Festival, and has a bit more focus and polish than some of the other Arkestra live material from the time – a mature, coherent sound that almost points the way towards some of their work to come in the 80s – when Ra and the group were finally reaching the wider audience they deserved. The set's a double-length one, and features players who include John Gilmore on tenor, Marshall Allen and Danny Davis on alto and flute, Pat Patrick on baritone, Ahmed Abdullah on trumpet, Craig Harris on trombone, and James Jackson on Ancient Egyptian Infinity drum – which is always a treat. Ra plays solar organ and moog, as well as piano.

Sun Ra - Taking a Chance on Chances (2018) {Sun Ra LLC Official Digital Download}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download (bandcamp.com) -> 273 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 128 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 2018 Sun Ra LLC
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Jazz Funk / Experimental Big Band / Progressive Jazz

This is not The Great Lost Sun Ra Album. It's a GOOD Lost Sun Ra Album, and it's been more or less found. Taking a Chance on Chances (or "… on Chancey," as some typographically allege) was recorded at the Jazz Showcase, Chicago, in 1977, and issued on Saturn vinyl in 1977 (catalog #772). Only one problem: according to the authoritative Earthly Recordings of Sun Ra, by Robert L. Campbell and Christopher Trent (2nd ed., 2000), "all known copies of Saturn LP 772 have a defective pressing on Side A."

Sun Ra - Sun Ra with Pharoah Sanders & Black Harold (2018) {Sun Ra Music Archive 048285989863 rec 1964}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download (bandcamp.com) -> 369 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 171 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 2018 Sun Ra LLC / Sun Ra Music Archive | 048285989863
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Jazz Funk / Experimental Big Band / Cosmic Jazz

In November 1964, a number of New York musicians (including Sun Ra) formally banded together as the Jazz Composers Guild. Under JCG sponsorship, the series “Four Days in December” ran from December 28 through 31 at Judson Hall. Sun Ra and his Arkestra appeared on the 31st, along with the New York Art Quartet. All of the music from the Four Days in December series was recorded by the JCG for its own label; a December 1964 announcement in Down Beat indicates that a sampler LP was planned as the first release. However, the Guild broke apart early in 1965, so this never came to pass. Later there were plans (again abortive) to issue the concerts on the Fontana label. Almost a dozen years later (1976), Sun Ra issued the LP "Featuring Pharoah Sanders and Black Harold" [comprised of tracks 6–11 of this digital edition].