Angels and Demons at Play is a jazz album by Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra.
Side one was recorded in 1960, including two tracks taken from the mammoth session either at Hall Recording Company or at the RCA Studios (both in Chicago), around 17 June 1960, whilst the tracks on side two were recorded at the RCA studios, Chicago, around February 1956. Saturn Records had issued at least three of the songs ("Medicine for a Nightmare" b/w "Urnack", and "A Call For All Demons", the B-side of an early version of the song "Saturn") as 7-inch singles.
According to the musicologist Robert L. Campbell, the latter single was probably the first Saturn release. It was a relatively common theme of Saturn releases to feature different sessions, from different eras with different personnel, on different sides of a record. Other examples include The Invisible Shield (1962/1970) and Deep Purple (1948-57/1973).
The distinctive sleeve was designed by Sun Ra, and uses the same design on both sides, leaving no room for sleeve notes.
Track listing
12" Vinyl All titles were written by Sun Ra, except where noted. Side A: "Tiny Pyramids" (Ronnie Boykins) – 3:38 "Between Two Worlds" – 1:56 "Music from the World Tomorrow" – 2:20 "Angels and Demons at Play" (Marshall Allen, Ronnie Boykins) – 2:51
Side B: "Urnack" (Julian Priester) – 3:46 "Medicine for a Nightmare" – 2:16 "A Call for All Demons" – 4:12 "Demon's Lullaby" – 2:35
The 1993 compact disc release appends the album The Nubians of Plutonia in its entirety.
Musicians On "Urnack", "Medicine for a Nightmare", "A Call For Demons", and "Demon's Lullaby", recorded RCA Studios, Chicago, around February 1956;From Sunny Blount to Sun Ra; R Campbell Sun Ra - Piano, Electric Piano Art Hoyle - Trumpet, Julian Priester - Trombone John Gilmore - Tenor Sax Pat Patrick - Baritone Sax Wilburn Green - Electric Bass Robert Barry - Drums Jim Herndon - Tympani
On "Tiny Pyramids" and "Angels And Demons At Play", RCA Studios Chicago, around June 17, 1960; Sun Ra - Percussion, Bells, Gong and Piano Phil Cohran - Cornet Nate Pryor - Trombone and Bells John Gilmore - Tenor Sax and Clarinet, percussion Marshall Allen - Flute Ronnie Boykins - Bass Jon Hardy - Drums, Percussion
On "Between Two Worlds" recorded during rehearsals at the same time; Sun Ra - Piano possibly Bo Bailey - Trombone John Gilmore - Tenor Sax Marshall Allen - Alto Sax Ronnie Boykins - Bass possibly Robert Barry - Drums
On "Music From The World Tomorrow", also recorded during rehearsals in Chicago, 1960; Sun Ra - 'Cosmic tone organ Ronnie Boykins - Bass Phil Cohran - Violin-uke Jon Hardy - Drums
Release history Date Label Format Catalog Notes 1965 Saturn Records LP 9956-2-0/P 1967 Saturn Records LP LP 407 1974 Impulse! Records LP AS 9245 1993 Evidence Music CD ECD 22066-2 Paired with The Nubians of Plutonia on a single CD.2004Saturn ResearchLPSR-9956-2-O2016DOLLPDOL914H
References
External links Complete Sun Ra's Discography