Mayan Temples (album)

Mayan Temples
Mayan Temples
Studio album by Sun Ra Arkestra
Released	1990
Recorded	July 24 & 25, 1990
Genre	Jazz
Length	79:03
Label	Black Saint
Producer	Giovanni Bonandrini
Sun Ra chronology

Mayan Temples is an album by the American composer, bandleader and keyboardist Sun Ra, recorded in 1990.^[1]^[2] Released on the Black Saint label,^[3] it was Sun Ra's final studio recording as a leader.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	^[5]

The Omaha World-Herald wrote that the album moves "through swing and be-bop band re-creations, African rhythm workouts and outer-space weirdness."^[6]

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "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... Overall, this is a fine all-around studio set."^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Sun Ra except as indicated

"Dance of the Language Barrier" – 3:58
"Bygone" – 5:15
"Disciple No. 1" – 4:57
"Alone Together" (Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz) – 7:02
"Prelude to Stargazers" – 5:17
"Mayan Temples" – 7:40
"I'll Never Be The Same" (Gus Kahn, Matty Malneck, Frank Signorelli) – 4:57
"Stardust from Tomorrow" – 3:38
"El Is a Sound of Joy" – 5:26
"Time After Time" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 4:21
"Opus in Springtime" – 6:41
"Theme of the Stargazers" – 14:09
"Sunset on the Nile" – 5:42

Recorded at Mondial Sound, Milano, Italy on July 24 & 25, 1990.

Personnel

Sun Ra – piano, synthesizer
Michael Ray, Ahmed Abdullah – trumpet, vocals
Tyrone Hill – trombone
Marshall Allen – alto saxophone, flute
Noel Scott – alto saxophone
John Gilmore – tenor saxophone, timbales
James Jacson – bassoon, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum
Ronald Wilson – tenor saxophone
Carl LeBlanc – electric guitar
Jothan Callins – bass, electric bass
Clifford Barbaro, Earl "Buster" Smith – drums
Ron McBee – congas, percussion
Jorge Silva – percussion
Elson Nascimento – surdo, percussion
June Tyson – vocals

References

^ McNally, Owen (June 24, 1992). "The Arkestra's evolution on CD". Hartford Courant. p. C2.
^ Booth, Garry (July 25, 1992). "The Sun that never sets". Financial Times. p. XVIII.
^ Sun Ra discography accessed July 21, 2010
^ ^a ^b Yanow, S. AllMusic Review accessed July 21, 2010
^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1361. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
^ Smith, Will (July 12, 1992). "Fare Varied on Italian-Based Labels". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald. p. 11.

[1] McNally, Owen (June 24, 1992). "The Arkestra's evolution on CD". Hartford Courant. p. C2.

[2] Booth, Garry (July 25, 1992). "The Sun that never sets". Financial Times. p. XVIII.

[Ra_discography-3] Sun Ra discography accessed July 21, 2010

[Allmusic-4] Yanow, S. AllMusic Review accessed July 21, 2010

[Penguin-5] Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1361. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.

[6] Smith, Will (July 12, 1992). "Fare Varied on Italian-Based Labels". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald. p. 11.

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