Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy is an album by the American Jazz musician Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra recorded in 1963, but not released until 1967 on Sun Ra's own Saturn label. The record was reissued on compact disc by Evidence in 2000.
Originally released in a sleeve with a Sun Ra doodle, the better known cover, designed by Richard Pedreguera, was in place by 1969. Pedreguera also designed the sleeve for The Nubians of Plutonia at around the same time.
Reception and legacy The album has been discussed within the context of anticipating psychedeliaRolling Stone Overview or pointing towards the funk of George Clinton; 'Clinton's astral ritual seems as inspired by the Nation of Islam as it is by Sun Ra, and when asked about the Ra in 1979, Clinton said, "This boy was definitely out to lunch - the same place I eat at."George Clinton quoted in Space is the Place, John F Szwed, Mojo, 2000, p264 When reissued on CD, Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow was added to the disc.
Track listing
12" Vinyl All songs by Sun Ra Side A: "And Otherness" – (5.10) "Thither and Yon" – (4.01) "Adventure-Equation" - (8.26) Side B: "Moon Dance" – (6.34) "Voice of Space" – (7.42)
Musicians Sun Ra – Hammond B-3 Organ, Clavioline, Percussion Marshall Allen – Oboe, Percussion Danny Davis – Alto Sax, Flute John Gilmore – Bass Clarinet, Percussion possibly Bernard Pettaway – Bass Trombone Pat Patrick – Baritone Saxophone Robert Cummings – Bass Clarinet Ronnie Boykins – Bass Clifford Jarvis – Drums James Jacson – Percussion Tommy Hunter – Percussion, Reverb Ensemble vocals
First two tracks recorded at the Choreographer's Workshop, New York (the Arkestra's rehearsal space), in 1963.Sun Ra's Discography, R Campbell Adventure-Equation, Moon Dance and Voice of Space were recorded at the Tip Top club, Brooklyn, in the same year, at 10 in the morning whilst Tommy Hunter was playing nights there with Sarah McLawler's trio, since the club provided access to a Hammond B-3 organ gratis.Space is the Place, John F Szwed, Mojo, 2000, p200 Hunter remembers some neighbourhood kids running in during the recording and shouting, "These guys don't know how to play!".
Notes