This collection is somewhat of an oddity in that there are no original compositions from
Sun Ra. That said, cornet player Phil Cohran contributes "Dorothy's Dance." As the album initially surfaced in the early '70s, many presumed the recordings reflected
Ra's concurrent combo and sound, which couldn't have been further from the truth. Scholars have since placed 1960 or 1961 as a closer estimation of when these sides were documented, using the rare inclusion of Ricky Murray (vocals) as sonic evidence, coupled with the fact that the effort was cut prior to the band's relocation to New York City from Chicago at the beginning of the decade. The primary (and most notable)
Arkestra centered on
Ra,
Marshall Allen (alto sax),
John Gilmore (tenor sax), Phil Cohran (cornet),
Ronnie Boykins (bass), and Jon Hardy (drums). The bounty of pop standards and memorable melodies showcases
Ra's spectacularly intricate and often underappreciated arrangements. The spry take of
George Gershwin's "But Not for Me" is rephrased to spotlight the soloists' remarkable improvisational skills behind tight support from the compact and swinging rhythm section.
Boykins and Hardy's brooding introduction to "Day by Day" immediately suggests the uneasy and inquisitive score that has been completely overhauled to express
Ra's newly adopted sense of the avant-garde as well as his free jazz leanings. Seemingly disparate tunes and time signatures fuse into a freewheeling affair that contains all the flair of
Sun Ra with much of the same romantic charm of more familiar readings, such as
Jo Stafford's hit version. "Holiday for Strings" can also be recommended because of the highly stylized rendering. Rather than the mile-a-minute staccato "plinking" that often identifies the piece,
Ra gives it a cool post-bop workout that discerns it for those otherwise unfamiliar with the song. "Early Autumn" is interesting from the perspective of the dearth of singers that
Ra accompanied. Murray's robust voice proves a bit overwhelming, as if he might break into an operatic vocalization at any moment. Arguably the most memorable selection on
Holiday for Soul Dance is the gorgeous take of "I Loves You, Porgy," incorporating a languid swing that gently drives the backbeat, ably supporting the scintillating adaptation. [This release was remastered and co-produced by
Michael D. Anderson (of the
Sun Ra Music Archive) and Irwin Chusid, under the auspices of
Sun Ra LLC, the heirs of the late music legend. Original session tapes were used when available and sound quality should surpass all previous CD/digital editions.] ~ Lindsay Planer