Standards

Description

Sun Ra, an unusual, eccentric, and at times controversial pianist, is often described as an acquired taste, with a vast and diverse catalog. This album is an excellent starting point for newcomers or skeptical listeners. The album highlights Ra's grounding in the jazz tradition, with unique interpretations of standards such as "Time After Time," "Easy to Love," and "But Not for Me." True to form, Sun Ra recorded in an informal setting; "Can This Be Love?" was recorded in his Chicago apartment in 1955, accompanied only by the great Wilbur Ware on bass. The other five tracks, which notably feature Ra's long-time collaborator John Gilmore on tenor saxophone, were recorded at the Choreographer's Workshop, a rehearsal space, between 1962 and 1963.