(Avant-Garde, Experimental Big Band) Sun Ra - The Magic City - 1993, FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

(1)
Sun Ra - piano
Walter Miller - trumpet
Ali Hassan - trombone
Marshall Allen - alto sax, flute, piccolo
Danny Davis - alto Sax, flute
Harry Spencer - alto sax
John Gilmore - tenor sax
Pat Patrick - baritone sax, flute
Robert Cummings - bass clarinet
Ronnie Boykins - bass
Roger Blank - drums
James Jacson - percussion
(2-4)
Sun Ra - piano, electronic celeste, bass marimba, sun harp, dragon drum, tympani
Chris Capers - trumpet, percussion
Teddy Nance - trombone
Bernard Pettaway - bass trombone
Marshall Allen - alto sax, piccolo, percussion
Danny Davis - alto sax, percussion
John Gilmore - tenor sax, percussion
Pat Patrick - baritone sax, tympani
Robert Cummings - bass clarinet, percussion
Ronnie Boykins - bass
Jimhmi Johnson - drums

EAC extraction logfile from 9. July 2005, 17:23 for CD
Sun Ra / The Magic City
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Used output format : Internal WAV Routines
44.100 Hz; 16 Bit; Stereo
Other options :
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Delete leading and trailing silent blocks : No
Native Win32 interface for Win NT & 2000
Track 1
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Track 2
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Track 3
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Track 4
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The boundaries of Sun Ra's self-proclaimed "space jazz" underwent a transformation in the mid-'60s. The Magic City is an aural snapshot of that metamorphic process. Many enthusiasts and scholars consider this to be among Ra's most definitive studio recordings. Although the "city" in the album's title was thought to have been New York — where the disc was recorded — it is actually Ra's earthly birthplace of Birmingham, AL. The Magic City consists of four free jazz compositions: the album side-length title track, "The Shadow World," "Abstract Eye," and "Abstract I" — two variants of a common work. These pieces are essentially ensemble improvisations recorded live. Any direction from Ra, indicating the order of soloists for instance, would be given either through his playing or with hand signals. Sun Ra & His Solar Myth Arkestra took up residency in Manhattan's East Village in the early to mid-'60s. Their neighbors included Pharaoh Saunders as well as Babatunde Olatunji. In fact, "The Shadow World," "Abstract Eye," and "Abstract I" were actually recorded in Olatunji's loft. The title track begins with weaving distant and frenetic lines from Ronnie Boykins (bass) and Ra (piano, clavoline), connected by intermittent eruptions from Roger Blank (drums). All the while, Marshall Allen's dreamlike piccolo randomly maneuvers through the sonic haze. The piece also contains an ensemble onslaught that abruptly contrasts with everything experienced up through that point. In the wake of the innately earthbound "Magic City" are three comparatively shorter pieces with subtle undercurrents that return Ra to space motifs. For example, the importance of sonic contrast defines "The Shadow World" by juxtaposing the lightly churning bass and cymbal into some surreal keyboard interjections from Ra. The Magic City also comes with an insightful liner notes essay from Ra scholar John F. Szwed, aiding in understanding the circumstances surrounding this piece of free jazz genius.