With the re-release of DISCO 3000 one
of the most celebrated of these elusive Saturn gems is once more
available. This release, and it’s companion MEDIA DREAMS, capture a side
of Sun Ra’s work – small ensemble, close form, original composition,
rather minimal – that is otherwise under-represented. Depending heavily
on Ra’s electric and electronic keyboards (including the mysterious
Crumar Mainman – of which even the company has no record) and, more
unusually, on his intelligent use of sequencers and rhythm machines,
this is an important window on the evolution of Ra’s musical thinking,
rendered even more transparent by the economy of its means; a quartet
comprising only saxophonist John Gilmore, trumpeter Michael Ray and
drummer Luqman Ali.