A1: Outer Spaceways Incorporated (3:01) A2: Somebody Else's World (4:02) A3: Stardust From Tomorrow (2:25) A4: We Travel The Spaceways (2:29) A5: Astro Black (2:02) A6: Theme Of The Stargazers (0:58) A7: The Moors (aka Moorish Nights) (4:05) B1: If You Are Not A Myth - Strange Worlds In My Mind (1:30) B2: Outer Space Is A Pleasant Place (3:20) B3: Tapestry From An Asteroid (1:49) B4: Never Never Land (2:47) B5: Smile (4:23) B6: Enlightenment (2:48) B7: They'll Come Back (2:35)
Description:
"Saturnian Queen of the Sun Ra Arkestra" is a captivating LP that shines a long-overdue spotlight on June Tyson, the indomitable vocalist and "cosmic griot" of the Sun Ra Arkestra. This album gathers rare recordings and standout performances that highlight her unmistakable voice, her poetic, Afrofuturist delivery, and the spiritual intensity she brought to the Arkestra's music. From meditative, chant-like passages to fearless, otherworldly improvisations, the tracks on this LP reveal Tyson not just as a supporting member, but as a central creative force in the Arkestra's universe. The sound aesthetic reflects the raw, analog energy of classic jazz and avant-garde recordings, carefully presented to preserve the warmth and grain of the original tapes.
As a vinyl release, the LP format reinforces the immersive, ritual character of Tyson's music. The sequencing encourages a full-side listening experience, allowing the listener to drift through cosmic ballads, free-jazz incantations, and space-age spirituals that defined the Sun Ra Arkestra's most visionary moments. "Saturnian Queen of the Sun Ra Arkestra" is both a tribute and an invitation: a tribute to a unique artist whose contributions have often been underrepresented, and an invitation to explore a crucial chapter of experimental jazz history through her voice.
June Tyson was a vocalist, violinist, and performer best known as a core member of the Sun Ra Arkestra from the 1960s onward. Her commanding yet ethereal presence helped shape the ensemble's live shows and recordings, and she was integral to signature pieces and stage rituals that made the Arkestra legendary in avant-jazz. Tyson's ability to move between spoken word, sung melody, and abstract vocal soundscapes made her a pioneer of cosmic jazz performance and a key figure in the development of Afrofuturist expression in music.
The LP is released by Modern Harmonic, a label recognized for its dedication to high-quality archival issues, reissues, and deep-cut discoveries from the worlds of jazz, experimental, and left-field popular music. Modern Harmonic is known for meticulous curation, careful remastering from the best available sources, and a strong emphasis on thoughtful packaging, liner notes, and artwork. With "Saturnian Queen of the Sun Ra Arkestra," the label continues its mission to bring historically important but often overlooked recordings to a new audience of listeners and collectors.