Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy is an album by the American Jazz musician Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra. Recorded in 1963, but not released until 1967 on Sun Ra's own Saturn label, the record has become one of the most discussed of Ra's New York recordings. The record was reissued on compact disc by Evidence in 2000.
Originally released in a sleeve with a Sun Ra doodle, the better known cover, designed by Richard Pedreguera, was in place by 1969. Pedreguera also designed the sleeve for The Nubians of Plutonia at around the same time.
Reception and legacy
The album has increasingly been discussed within the context of anticipating psychedelia or pointing towards the funk of George Clinton; 'Clinton's astral ritual seems as inspired by the Nation of Islam as it is by Sun Ra, and when asked about the Ra in 1979, Clinton said, "This boy was definitely out to lunch - the same place I eat at." When reissued on CD, Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow was added to the disc.
The singer Bilal names it among his 25 favorite albums, citing Sun Ra's use of space, various noises, and African drums.
Track listing
12" Vinyl
All songs by Sun Ra
Side A: "And Otherness" – (5.10) "Thither and Yon" – (4.01) "Adventure-Equation" - (8.26) Side B: "Moon Dance" – (6.34) "Voice of Space" – (7.42)
Musicians
Sun Ra – Hammond B-3 Organ, Clavioline, Percussion
Marshall Allen – Oboe, Percussion
Danny Davis – Alto Sax, Flute
John Gilmore – Bass Clarinet, Percussion
possibly Bernard Pettaway – Bass Trombone
Pat Patrick – Baritone Saxophone
Robert Cummings – Bass Clarinet
Ronnie Boykins – Bass
Clifford Jarvis – Drums
James Jacson – Percussion
Tommy Hunter – Percussion, Reverb
Ensemble vocals
First two tracks recorded at the Choreographer's Workshop, New York (the Arkestra's rehearsal space) in 1963. Adventure-Equation, Moon Dance and Voice of Space were recorded at the Tip Top club, Brooklyn, in the same year, at 10 in the morning whilst Tommy Hunter was playing nights there with Sarah McLawler's trio, since the club provided access to a Hammond B-3 organ gratis. Hunter remembers some neighbourhood kids running in during the recording and shouting, "These guys don't know how to play!".