Interstellar Low Ways | ||||
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Studio album by Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra | ||||
Released | 1966 | |||
Recorded | 1959 - 1960, Chicago | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 31.06 | |||
Label |
Saturn Evidence |
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Producer | Alton Abraham | |||
Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic CD |
Interstellar Low Ways is an album recorded by the American jazz musician Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra, mostly recorded in Chicago, 1960, and probably released in 1966 on his own Saturn label. Originally titled Rocket Number Nine, the album had acquired its present name, and the red-on-white sleeve by Claude Dangerfield, by 1969. The album is known particularly for the two songs featuring space chants - Interplanetary Music and Rocket Number Nine Take off for the Planet Venus - that would stay in the Arkestra's repertoire for many years;
'Rocket Number Nine points toward the music that the Arkestra would be playing on the lower East Side of New York City. The tenor sax solo isn't the work of John Coltrane in 1962, but of John Gilmore in 1960. And not even Ornette Coleman's bassists were playing like Ronnie Boykins at this date.' Robert Campbell
When reissued by Evidence, Interstellar Low Ways was included as the second half of a CD that also featured the whole of Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra Visits Planet Earth.
Lady Gaga references the line; Rocket Number Nine Take off for the Planet Venus" in her song "Venus"
Most of the tracks were recorded at a marathon session of between 30 and 40 songs, either at the RCA Studios, or possibly The Hall Recording Company (both in Chicago), around 17 June 1960. Other albums to include tracks from the session include Fate In A Pleasant Mood, Holiday for Soul Dance, Angels and Demons at Play and We Travel the Space Ways.
A single, Space Loneliness b/w State Street, was released shortly after the recording sessions. Whilst State Street was never released on an album by Ra, it was copyrighted as part of the Space Loneliness suite (Space Loneliness: A Sound Concerto) along with Fate In A Pleasant Mood & Lights on a Satellite, July 8, 1960. This single was followed up by another 7" from the session, The Blue Set b/w Big City Blues, which wasn't included on any of the Saturn Chicago albums.