Sun Ra

God Is More Than Love Can Ever Be

★★★½

You know, anyone who's listened to at least a couple Sun Ra records knows what they're going into. A space age proclamation of universal love and extraterrestrial origins, with the music to match. But every now and then you get something that is completely unexpected. This is one of those albums. Sun Ra in a trio setting is not something I expected, and I truly am surprised by how great it is. If you are looking for that traditional Sun Ra space jam then I would suggest not really delving into this; it's on a different area in the jazz spectrum really. I think he draws upon his early years as a bluesy Chicago player, before he converted into the translator of the infinite cosmos. It's extremely intimate and helps you get inside the mind of a man who spent his whole life pushing the boundaries of jazz and creating an entire universe to serve as his playground. 

Ra's piano playing is unlike what you've probably heard before; it's very emotionally driven here with a slight spiritual feeling to it all. He's giving you the message he's received from a higher plane, and it's more beautiful than you would've expected. I can't personally attest to the previous recording dates of the drum and bass player, but they seem to be under Ra's apprenticeship during the duration of this album. Hayes Burnett on bass and Eric Walker on drums, both of them create these ripples that compliment Ra perfectly. I would dare say this is one of the best piano trios I've heard from the 1970's. Just because of the interplay and sound the players are able to generate; without each other their playing would not be as complete or captivating as it is here. 

Ra drags in some of the avant spirituality that he's very fond of, but there's more traces of his bluesy past and even some romantic ballads thrown in. It's joyous and celebratory at some times, but can quickly turn into a spiritual yearning for answers that will never be revealed. The best example of that is the switch up from the bustling bar song of "Magic City Blues" to the religious hymn-like meditation of "Tenderness". The drumming on here really is magical too, almost taking on the personality of a funky break. But somehow it works in this very traditionally conservative jazz setting. It provides life and colors that only percussion can grant; while the bass adds this earthy undertone that keeps you looking forward eagerly. It has that 70's sound but hey it works alright here, doesn't detract too much.

It's a river of an album, actually more like a stream, but still it's that fluid. The cohesive and lyrical nature of it might be strange to some experienced Sun Ra veterans, but if you look deeply into the majority of his music it's there. I guess this is just a bit more surface level in that sense. I don't think this is a great place for people to start in his discography, but it definitely is one of his most romantic. To me, it's just a loving statement from an underappreciated piano player and from a man who is recognized more from his stage presence than the music that he put out. And that music is just as good, if not better. 

Favorite Song: Tenderness