John Corbett’s book, EXTENDED PLAY, contains, “Brothers From Another Planet: The Space Madness of Lee “Scratch Perry, Sun Ra, and George Clinton,” a very influential essay which firmly identifies said artists as the holy trinity of afro-futurism in contemporary culture. There are many other insightful essays and engaging interviews in the book. Looking forward to a long ride on the Red Line this morning I grabbed Mr. Corbett’s book and settled on revisiting “Anthony Braxton: From Planet to Planet.” An awesome and provocative interview. I so admire the artist who can remain steadfastly wide open, compassionate, and engaged, while still crafting the ways and means of intensely considered and deliberate creative production. This is not as easy as it sounds!
Anthony Braxton. photo by Peter Gannushkin
At the end of the interview Mr. Braxton offers readers his suggested list of tracks. Since this blog focuses on the production and research revolving around Sun Ra, Marching Bands, Creative Music, and insurgent art, this list seemed apt:
1. The Florida State University Marching Band School Theme
2. Sun Ra, “Brainville” (from Sun Song)
3. Sun Ra, “Bygone” (from Mayan Temples)
4. Paul Desmond (w/Brubeck) “You Go to My Head”
5. Frankie Lymon, “The ABC’s of Love”
6. Ornette Coleman, “Peace” (from The Shape of Jazz to Come)
7. Alban Berg, Lulu (conducted by Pierre Boulex)
8. Richard Wagner, Parsifal and The Ring
9. Charlie Parker, “Donna Lee”
10. Lee Konitz/Warne Marsh, “Sax of a Kind”
11. Dinah Washington, “You Go to My Head”
**12. William Grant Stills, A Bayou Legend
14. Sal Mosca/Warne Marsh Quartet, “Steady As She Goes” (from Live at the Village Vanguard, Vol. II)
15. John Coltrane, Central Park West”
~ Extended Play, by John Corbett, pg 217.
** Amazing.
The Solar Flare Arkestral Marching Band 