Mayan Temples (album)

Mayan Temples is an album by the American composer, bandleader and keyboardist Sun Ra, released in 1992 on the Black Saint label. It was Sun Ra's final studio recording as a leader.

Critical reception

The Omaha World-Herald wrote that the album moves "through swing and be-bop band re-creations, African rhythm workouts and outer-space weirdness."

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "One of the finest Sun Ra recordings from his final years, this effort is particularly recommended due to the many Ra keyboard solos and John Gilmore features... Overall, this is a fine all-around studio set."

Track listing

1. "Dance of the Language Barrier" – 3:58
2. "Bygone" – 5:15
3. "Disciple No. 1" – 4:57
4. "Alone Together" (Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz) – 7:02
5. "Prelude to Stargazers" – 5:17
6. "Mayan Temples" – 7:40
7. "I'll Never Be The Same" (Gus Kahn, Matty Malneck, Frank Signorelli) – 4:57
8. "Stardust from Tomorrow" – 3:38
9. "El Is a Sound of Joy" – 5:26
10. "Time After Time" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 4:21
11. "Opus in Springtime" – 6:41
12. "Theme of the Stargazers" – 14:09
13. "Sunset on the Nile" – 5:42

Personnel

• Sun Ra – piano, synthesizer
• Michael Ray, Ahmed Abdullah – trumpet, vocals
• Tyrone Hill – trombone
• Marshall Allen – alto saxophone, flute
• Noel Scott – alto saxophone
• John Gilmore – tenor saxophone, timbales
• James Jacson – bassoon, Ancient Egyptian Infinity Drum
• Ronald Wilson – tenor saxophone
• Carl LeBlanc – electric guitar
• Jothan Callins – bass, electric bass
• Clifford Barbaro, Earl "Buster" Smith – drums
• Ron McBee – congas, percussion
• Jorge Silva – percussion
• Elson Nascimento – surdo, percussion
• June Tyson – vocals

References