by Ron Wynn
Sun Ra often pulled small units out of the larger Arkestra, and that was the case on this 1991 concert recorded live at the Vanguard. He led a sextet with Chris Anderson on piano, John Gilmore's rugged, soaring tenor sax taking the featured soloist role, and bassist John Ore and Buster Smith completing the rhythm section. Bruce Edwards provided guitar fills and accompaniment, while Ra offered synthesizer coloration, textures and swirling support. Ra's lines seem to flag a bit on the opening cut, &'Round Midnight,& but he's worked out the kinks by the second number, &Sun Ra Blues,& and for the remainder of the session adds looping countermelodies and phrases to Anderson's themes and statements.