Much like Animal Collective, Sun Ra is another artist I have barely processed, even after 15+ years of listening, but nonetheless deeply respect and revere. “Stardust for Tomorrow” ranks as one of my absolute most favorite songs, jazz or otherwise, and when combined with the title tracks of Somewhere Else forms the most exquisite 16 minutes of music, in my not so humble opinion.
My first taste of Sun Ra came by way of a cassette recording of Blue Delight, which my good friend Myungho Choi miraculously dubbed from the vinyl collection of a true-blue jazz aficionado. I briefly had possession of that cassette in my old Saab, which did battle with A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders for many years, until the latter became permanently lodged in place. I never thought I would hear it again until I tracked it down on eBay many years later. More on that one soon.
Myungho also bought Somewhere Else for my birthday shortly thereafter. I don’t know that I have ever fully conquered the first four songs, but the last half just lights me up, especially “Stardust for Tomorrow.” It begins innocently enough with the most delicate piano line, joined by cymbals that seem to tip toe about until the bassline creeps in, and with it the drums too. It takes just one minute to go from a full stop to a galloping hop, and it only gets better from there:
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I can only think of one other song that hits its climax with the vocals, and by the time June Tyson begins her lines at the end I am positively euphoric, but she just sends me into orbit. It truly takes my breath away.