The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume Two

Infobox Album |
Name = The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume Two
Type = Studio album
Artist = Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra


Released = 1966
Recorded = November 16, 1965
Genre = Free Jazz
Length = 36:45
Label = ESP-Disk
Producer =
Reviews =
Last album = "The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume One"
(1965)
This album = "The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume Two"
(1966)
Next album = "Nothing Is"
(1966)

"The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume Two" is a 1965 recording by the jazz musician Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra. Where Volume One of the "Heliocentric Worlds" series had predominantly featured short abstract pieces, Volume Two opened the process out into longer pieces performed by a smaller group.

"The Sun Myth" is particularly striking, constructed around the intertwining of Ronnie Boykins' bowed bass and Ra's electronic keyboard. These predominantly low sounds contrast sharply with the interlude commentaries from the other Arkestra members. Different releases use versions with or without the overlay of African singing at the start and finish of the piece.

"A House of Beauty" is a feature for piccolo, keyboards and bowed bass, which transforms into an almost-conventional piano and plucked bass duet.

"Cosmic Chaos" is an early example of the apparently free but actually conducted blowing for which the Arkestra would become known over the following decades.

Track listing

#"The Sun Myth" - 17:20
#"A House of Beauty" - 5:10
#"Cosmic Chaos" - 14:15

Personnel

*Sun Ra - piano, tuned bongos and clavioline
*Marshall Allen - alto saxophone, piccolo, flute
*Pat Patrick - baritone saxophone
*Walter Miller - trumpet
*John Gilmore - tenor saxophone
*Robert Cummings - bass clarinet
*Ronnie Boykins - bass
*Roger Blank - percussion

*Richard L. Alderson - Engineer