East Two + 5

EAST TWO + 5 comprises previously unreleased tracks from one of Sun Ra's most productive periods: 1972–73. Those two hectic years saw Sun Ra recording numerous albums, staging concerts, teaching at Berkeley, acting in and composing the score for a full-length movie, embarking on a multi-album (though ill-fated) major label deal, and touring the U.S. and Europe.The title track, "East Two," is one of two pieces on this album originating at a two-day October 1972 session at Chicago's Streeterville Studios. That workshop produced two entire albums: Ra's major label debut, Space Is the Place (issued on Blue Thumb—and not to be confused with the film and soundtrack of the same title), and Discipline 27-II (released on Ra's own Saturn imprint). "East Two" is an ominous, sprawling processional, and the only known recording of this moody work. Arkestra baritone saxophonist Pat Patrick played electric bass on this session, which also featured Ra's typically idiosyncratic synth, along with fine solos from Kwame Hadi (trumpet) and Arkestra mainstay John Gilmore (tenor sax).