Angels and Demons at Play
Encyclopedia
Angels and Demons at Play is a jazz
album by the American musician Sun Ra
and his Myth Science Arkestra.
Side one was recorded in 1960, including two tracks taken from the mammoth session either at Hall Recording Company or at the RCA Studios (both in Chicago), around 17 June 1960 whilst the tracks on side two were recorded at the RCA studios, Chicago, around February 1956. At least three of the songs (Medicine for a Nightmare b/w Urnack, and A Call For All Demons, the B-side of an early version of Saturn (the song)) had been issued on early Saturn (the record label) 7" singles .
According to the musicologist R Campbell, the latter single was probably the very first Saturn release . It was a relatively common theme of Saturn releases to feature different sessions, from different eras with different personnel, on different sides of a record. Other examples include The Invisible Shield (1962/1970) and Deep Purple
(1948-57/1973).
The distinctive sleeve was designed by Sun Ra, and uses the same design on both sides, leaving no room for sleeve notes.
Side A:
Side B:
The 1993 compact disc
release appends the album The Nubians of Plutonia
in its entirety.
On "Tiny Pyramids" and "Angels And Demons At Play", RCA Studios Chicago, around June 17 1960;
On "Between Two Worlds" recorded during rehearsals at the same time;
On "Music From The World Tomorrow", also recorded during rehearsals in Chicago, 1960;
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
album by the American musician Sun Ra
Sun Ra
Sun Ra was a prolific jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his "cosmic philosophy," musical compositions and performances. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama...
and his Myth Science Arkestra.
Side one was recorded in 1960, including two tracks taken from the mammoth session either at Hall Recording Company or at the RCA Studios (both in Chicago), around 17 June 1960 whilst the tracks on side two were recorded at the RCA studios, Chicago, around February 1956. At least three of the songs (Medicine for a Nightmare b/w Urnack, and A Call For All Demons, the B-side of an early version of Saturn (the song)) had been issued on early Saturn (the record label) 7" singles .
According to the musicologist R Campbell, the latter single was probably the very first Saturn release . It was a relatively common theme of Saturn releases to feature different sessions, from different eras with different personnel, on different sides of a record. Other examples include The Invisible Shield (1962/1970) and Deep Purple
Deep Purple (Sun Ra album)
Deep Purple is an album by Sun Ra and his Arkestra featuring Stuff Smith on violin.-Pressings:*Saturn LP 485 *side A reissued on Evidence 22014 *side B reissued on Evidence 22217...
(1948-57/1973).
The distinctive sleeve was designed by Sun Ra, and uses the same design on both sides, leaving no room for sleeve notes.
12" Vinyl
All titles were written by Sun Ra, except where noted.Side A:
- "Tiny Pyramids" (Ronnie BoykinsRonnie BoykinsRonnie Boykins was a jazz bassist and is best known for his work with pianist/bandleader Sun Ra, although he had played with such disparate musicians as Muddy Waters, Johnny Griffin, and Jimmy Witherspoon prior to joining Sun Ra's Arkestra.-Biography:He joined the Arkestra during the Chicago...
) – 3:38 - "Between Two Worlds" – 1:56
- "Music from the World Tomorrow" – 2:20
- "Angels and Demons at Play" (Boykins) – 2:51
Side B:
- "Urnack" (Julian PriesterJulian PriesterJulian Priester is an American jazz trombonist and composer.He has played with many artists including Sun Ra, Max Roach, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock.-Biography:...
) – 3:46 - "Medicine for a Nightmare" – 2:16
- "A Call for All Demons" – 4:12
- "Demon's Lullaby" – 2:35
The 1993 compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
release appends the album The Nubians of Plutonia
The Nubians of Plutonia
The Nubians of Plutonia is an album recorded by Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra c.1958 - 1959 and released c.1966 on his own Saturn label. Originally released in a blank sleeve under the title Lady With The Stockings, the album had gained its current title, and sleeve by Richard Pedreguera, by...
in its entirety.
Musicians
On "Urnack", "Medicine for a Nightmare", "A Call For Demons", and "Demon's Lullaby", recorded RCA Studios, Chicago, around February 1956;- Sun Ra - Piano, Electric Piano
- Art Hoyle - Trumpet,
- Julian PriesterJulian PriesterJulian Priester is an American jazz trombonist and composer.He has played with many artists including Sun Ra, Max Roach, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock.-Biography:...
- Trombone - John GilmoreJohn Gilmore (musician)John Gilmore was an American jazz tenor saxophone player best-known for his long tenure as a member of Sun Ra's Arkestra...
- Tenor Sax - Pat Patrick - Baritone Sax
- Wilburn Green - Electric Bass
- Robert Barry - Drums
- Jim Herndon - Tympani
On "Tiny Pyramids" and "Angels And Demons At Play", RCA Studios Chicago, around June 17 1960;
- Sun Ra - Percussion, Bells, Gong and Piano
- Phil CohranPhil CohranKelan Phil Cohran is a jazz musician. He is known most for his trumpet contributions in the Sun Ra Arkestra in Chicago during 1959-1961 and for his involvement in the foundation of the AACM.-Biography:...
- Cornet - Nate Pryor - Trombone and Bells
- John Gilmore - Tenor Sax and Clarinet, percussion
- Marshall AllenMarshall AllenMarshall Belford Allen is an American free jazz and avant-garde jazz alto saxophone player. He also performs on flute, oboe, piccolo, and EVI ....
- Flute - Ronnie BoykinsRonnie BoykinsRonnie Boykins was a jazz bassist and is best known for his work with pianist/bandleader Sun Ra, although he had played with such disparate musicians as Muddy Waters, Johnny Griffin, and Jimmy Witherspoon prior to joining Sun Ra's Arkestra.-Biography:He joined the Arkestra during the Chicago...
- Bass - Jon Hardy - Drums, Percussion
On "Between Two Worlds" recorded during rehearsals at the same time;
- Sun Ra - Piano
- possibly Bo Bailey - Trombone
- John Gilmore - Tenor Sax
- Marshall Allen - Alto Sax
- Ronnie Boykins - Bass
- possibly Robert Barry - Drums
On "Music From The World Tomorrow", also recorded during rehearsals in Chicago, 1960;
- Sun Ra - 'Cosmic tone organ
- Ronnie Boykins - Bass
- Phil Cohran - Violin-ukeBowed psalteryA bowed psaltery is a psaltery that is played with a bow.-Violin Zither:In 1925 a German patent was issued to the Clemens Neuber Company for a bowed psaltery which also included a set of strings arranged in chords, so that one could play the melody on the bowed psaltery strings, and strum...
- Jon Hardy - Drums
Release history
| Date | Label | Format | Catalog | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Saturn Records | LP | 9956-2-0/P | |
| 1967 | Saturn Records | LP | LP 407 | |
| 1974 | Impulse! Records | LP | AS 9245 | |
| 1993 | Evidence Music | CD | ECD 22066-2 |