Early work by Ra and the Arkestra, recorded in 1958 in Chicago, but not issued until the end of 60s, as one of the best rare sides on Saturn Records! The material's fairly straight, but with a cool off-kilter groove, and some very nice arrangements. The lineup's as classic as can be, and include Gilmore, Pat Patrick, James Spaulding, Marshall Allen, and Hobart Dotson. Hattie Randolph sings on 2 tracks, and Ra plays a bit of celeste. Titles are mostly all standards, given the Ra twist -- and titles include "S'Wonderful", "Round Midnight", "I Could Have Danced All Night", and "Deep Purple".  -  © 1996-2010, Dusty Groove America, Inc.