This is one of a couple Saturn releases recorded at the Squat Theater in New York in 1980. This is a large (20-plus pieces), well-recorded
Arkestra with two vibes players, but rather than pulling out a bunch of elaborate charts, this album is really just a series of solo features punctuated by big space chords. "Voice of the Eternal Tomorrow" has
Sun Ra going into full sci-fi mode, playing both the eerie soundtrack as well as voicing the battling aliens. "Approach of the Eternal Tomorrow" has more big space chords and some unbelievable high-register horn work. "The Rose Hue Mansions of the Sun" is still more big space chords and scary keyboard work, but
Ra actually manages to find something of a tune briefly at the end. All in all,
Voice of the Eternal Tomorrow (aka The Rose Hue Mansions of the Sun) is somewhat unremarkable in the
Ra canon, but is still a fine showcase for the
Arkestra soloists. [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.] ~ Sean Westergaard