Recorded in 1962, Secrets of the Sun is probably the album that should be paired with Artforms, and is certainly closest to that album in spirit. I'm suspecting there's a similar relationship between When Sun Comes Out and When Angles Speak of Love, but let's worry about those albums when the times come. Clearly Evidence issued what they could in the most economical/effective way they could manage, and at that time, including Secrets of the Sun was not an option.In 2009 however, thanks to the Unheard Music Series (Atavistic), we have several previously unavailable releases that are as essential as the ones released by Evidence. I'm still very skeptical about some of the live releases on this series, but Secrets of the Sun is an absolute winner and should be purchased without hesitation.
The overall tone is similar to Artforms, but there's little or no use of the echo effect and the material seems more active and lush (though possibly darker.) Of particular interest are two early (and quite edgy) versions of Friendly Galaxy and Love in Outer Space. There's also odd use of vocal on Solar Differentials.
I'm not sure this album is totally consistent overall. There are parts where Sun Ra charts lonely and alien regions, pressing toward a darker tone than heard on previous albums, while the centerpiece of the album, the 17 min Flight to Mars is a bit brighter and more rambunctious, though no less fantastic!
I have to say once more how much I'm enjoying this transitional material--it's almost gone so I better sing it's praise while I can! Secrets of the Sun hits a lot of ground, succeeding in areas of technique, atmosphere, sophistication and surprisingly a few numbers that really swing. I'm imagining some super-straight jazz folks who couldn't take this album, but I'd think any Coltrane fan could connect the dots and dig it. This is still a GREAT jazz album while still edging out ever more. This is a place I wish Ra could have lingered a little bit longer...
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