Black Science

Black Science

Track Listings

1. Man in a Suitcase - Geezer Butler

2. Box of Six

3. Mysterious

4. Justified

5. Departments

6. Area Code 51

7. Has to Be

8. No. 5

9. Among the Cybermen

10. Unspeakable Elvis

11. Xodiak

12. Northern Wisdom

13. Trinity Road

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In 1995, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler formed the band G/Z/R with guitarist Pedro Howse and vocalist Burton C. Bell, and released the unrelentingly brutal album Plastic Planet. But Bell's commitment to his other band Fear Factory forced him to leave G/Z/R. Unfortunately Bell took much of the group's immediacy and hostility with him. Renamed Geezer, the band's second album Black Science is more eclectic than Plastic Planet, but instead of being creatively diverse, Geezer mines a somewhat uninspired well of eerie, crunching riffs, overly-melodic hooks, and trite electronics. Bell's replacement, Clark Brown, sings in a voice that ranges from a vibrato-laden yowl to a throaty growl, but his vocals lack emotion, and are ultimately unconvincing. --Jon Wiederhorn

Black Science,Geezer,Tvt,Heavy Metal,Pop,Popular Music,Rock

The Science Fiction Album
Average customer rating:

The penultimate collection ...

Muisic of the Spheres

The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection

SciFi Album gift

Away From to be a Collectible Peace

The Science Fiction Album
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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The Fantasy Album

ASIN: B000066HE5
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

2001: A Space Odyssey
Aliens
Sound Effect - The Nostromo
Alien
A.I.
Armageddon
Sound Effect - Apollo 13 Lift-off
Apollo 13
Back To The Future
Battle Beyond The Stars
Battlestar Galactica
The Black Hole
Contact
Capricorn One
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Day The Earth Stood Still
Dune

Tracks:

Galaxy Quest
Sound Effect - Dogfight in Space
Enemy Mine
Ghostbusters
Gremlins
Heavy Metal
Independence Day
E.T.
Judge Dredd
The Last Starfighter
Lifeforce
Sound Effect - Crash Landing
Lost In Space
Mars Attacks
The Matrix
Predator
The Right Stuff

Tracks:

Moonraker
Robocop
Silent Running
Sound Effect - Alien Organism
Species
Stargate
Starship Troopers
Starman
Star Trek - TV Theme
Star Trek: The Motion Picture End Title
Klingon Attack
Sound Effect - Warp Drive
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Generations
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Tracks:

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Sound Effect - Transporter Crew
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Theme
Star Trek First Contact
Star Wars
The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
Sound Effect - Battle Stations
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace - The Flag Parade
Anakin's Theme
The Adventures of Jar Jar
Duel of the Fates
The Time Machine
Things to Come
The Thing From Another World
War of the Worlds
When Worlds Collide
Total Recall
You Only Live Twice
Superman

Customer Reviews:

The penultimate collection ..........2006-12-07

Generally I agree with Strategos in his ecstatic Spotlight Review above. It is a joy to here some of the most memorable themes and cues from some of the most memorable science fiction and fantasy movies (re)recorded in great sound and in lavish (re)orchestrations, played by renowned classical orchestras, namely the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra, no less.

I have always had a weak spot for (good, or maybe even intelligent) science fiction/fantasy and film music, especially its way of evoking mystery, grandure and wide open spaces. Call it a weakness if you want. But it was maybe really kick started off, for as far as I can remember, with Star Trek. But especially Star Trek II, III and IV - essentially a trilogy - because of their very romantic but very warm, human core, set on the broadest canvasses of unlimited and mysterious outer space. But then there was the music for adding that essential extra dimension of emotion and atmosphere. I am happy that much of the music on this album is from the Star Trek series and films, often equaling or sometimes even outclassing the original recordings.

This kind of music (for the movies) should be seen as an art on its own rights with its own merits and qualities. As such, the musical sequences on these CD's are a beautifully played cross section of some of the most evoking orchestral music for science fiction/fantasy film ever created. And I very much like the nicely blended, wide and deep orchestral soundpicture with enough reverberation to evoke a sense of wide open spaces.
I am quite thrilled by tracks like the evocative music from Dune, truly transporting one to the vastly sands of Arrakis (the music is wonderful, but to my great regret I think the movie itself is a flawed masterpiece at best, alas.). And then there is the very different, goofy music for Ghostbusters (memories of childhood), the spoofy but electrifying music from Mars Attacks (lovingly parodist music, this, with not a little touch of irony) and the happily adventurous, forward driving Theme from Galaxy Quest ('Never give up, never surrender!'), now also used for the internet-based fan-series Star Trek: The Hidden Frontier. On the other side of the spectrum we have the atmospheric music for Enemy Mine (an underestimated 'little' movie), the Theme from The Right Stuff (actually science FACT, not fiction, this film, just like Apollo 13, of course), the eerily attractive music for Species, the original End Title for Alien (not used in the theatrical version of the movie, where it was replaced by music from howard Hanson's Second Symphony), the exquisitely exotic music for Stargate, the sweet and warmly sympathetic, beautifully re-orchestrated, theme for Starman, the title cue for Star Trek: TOS (much more melodiously played than the original! If only a series nowadays could continue to be as thought provoking and as original as Star Trek was during its launch, fourty years ago ...) and a truly overpowering End Titles Suite from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. I especially like the thrillingly grandiloquent rendition here of the music for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. And how nice it is to hear the (thematic) similarities between James Horner's music for The Wrath of Khan, his great break-through as a film music composer, and his (two years) earlier music for Battle Beyond the Stars (which did indeed help him earn the job for writing the music for Star Trek II) ...

But on the 'down side', if one is looking for - for example - the gorgeously expansively played End Titles from Cocoon, it is not included here: one has to acquire the album that 'kicked it all off', so to say, namely 'Space and Beyond', also on Silva Screen. I was very pleased also with the inclusion on that album of some of the music from the series Star Trek: The Next Generation, namely where one of the characters, Tasha Yar, in one of the episodes (Skin of Evil) is saying goodbye to her crewmmates: sweetly sentimental and simple music which I have always wanted to own on CD. I guess that a few cues from the other two sequals ('Alien Invasion: Space and Beyond II' and 'Space3: Beyond the Final Frontier') didn't make it onto this 4 CD collection-album as well, but I guess that it would be the 'better part of the bargain' to opt to buy this 'The Science Fiction Album' instead of buying all three albums separately. Well, of course it is for yourself to ultimately decide what you really want ;-)

If I were to nitpick (which is not easy with such a marvellous project as this one), then I would say that while all music is performed with magnificent grandure and with style, some of it is not performed as crisply and as technically 'on the spot' as some of the original recordings: ensemble is a little slack and the playing somewhat stilted sometimes, losing some of the edge and the originality of the writing. ET and Star Wars spring to mind, but then the soundtracks for Star Wars are traditionally recorded with the magnificent London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro John Williams himself, and these superior recordings (especially the ones for Episode I, II and III) can't really be bettered, IMHO. Likewise for the music from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, I believe that in the end one really has to resort to the ultimate reference, namely the original recording (which is true in many other instances of 'original recordings'), and then the 20th anniversay colector's edition of this soundtrack on Columbia/Legacy (truly unmissable, this veritable classic of sci-fi/film music soundtracks!).

But all in all this 4CD-collection amounts to probably being the penultimate high quality sci-fi music album collection (I certainly know of no other project that comes as close quality as well as quantity wise), with some of the most memorable musical moments from classic to modern sci-fi/fantasy film captured in lavish orchestrations.
Collection-wise: five *stars*. Playing: generally four *stars*, sometimes more. The recording quality: five *stars*. The music (qualified on its own merits as film music) and its (re)orchestrations: generally five *stars*. In the end this is all highly recommended, and certainly not to be missed by science fiction and fantasy film music fans. Klaatu barada nikto.

Muisic of the Spheres.......2006-11-06

You wonderful four disk collection of SF music. It startsa up the the grand master of SF music, 2001: A space Odyssey all the way to Superman. This is all American SF music and several themes I would have liked to have included are not there. All in all though, a collection you will enjoy.

The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection.......2005-10-23

If one person gives great gifts, it's the illustrious Codemaster Talon. I've received a fair number of gifts in my lifetime, but so far, my older sister's take the cake. Take this one for instance. I'm real big on orchestral music, to the point where I listen to them more than any other kind of music. I've got orchestral versions of video game themes, orchestral soundtracks to truck-loads of anime shows (Big O, Escaflowne, and Giant Robo are incredible), and could probably spend the rest of my life just trying to study the nuances of all the classical music I've got. Being such a huge fan of orchestral music, I also have come to believe that orchestra music produced for movies and television is the new classical music (or as someone once said, Mozart would be making music for movies if he were alive today). Being a huge sci-fi fan, that kind of music has always been particularly near and dear to my heart. But were I to buy each and every soundtrack for every sci-fi I liked it would cost quite a bundle, and would include a lot of sub-par music along with the grandiose and fantastic main and memorable themes. That's where this beauty comes in.

The moment I ripped off the shrink-wrap and popped it into my cd player was a moment of great trepidation. Believe me when I tell that I've seen my fair share of sub-par orchestral recording in my lifetime. Very often they are in those big super-packs of music, and suffer from poor direction, improper mastering, and sometime even pathetic orchestration (or worse yet have something sounding like a cheap synthesizer and a kazoo in place of a full orchestra). I needn't have worried though. This sucker is fantastic.

Many people who are not audiophiles will probably miss the point of this cd collection. It is not the original versions of the pieces. It is re-orchestrations, mostly by the phenomenal Prague Symphony Orchestra. Many of these themes didn't sound all that hot in there original versions because they were low budget films or were not recorded in high-fidelity. Here they are given the full treatment, mastered with the most loving care imaginable. Often the version found in these cds is SUPERIOR to the original.

Remember the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey? Of course you do. But how many times have you heard a cheap imitation of the original version from the movie, starting too low in volume and ending too high (and missing the essential pipe-organ that gives it that extra oomph)? Well, this first track in the entire collection is not only everything it should be instrumental and timing-wise, but it also has been oh-so-carefully adjusted during the mastering process so that at no time is the music either too low or too high in volume (surely a benchmark for every other recording ever to be made of the piece).

Or what about the theme from the (at-the-time) uber-creepy The Black Hole? The orchestration of this piece of music goes from tiumphant to terrifying and back again, with a splendor and cleanness that I CERTAINLY don't remember being in the original recording.

Then there's the new version of the theme from Independence Day, complete with a violin solo, a far more electrifying ending climax, and a chorus so thunderous that you feel like applauding at the end. Simply indescribable. Kind of like the MIND-BLOWING rendition of the theme from The Last Star Fighter. This has been one of my favorite themes for a long time now, but I've never heard it played like this. I think the original version of the theme is something like 1 minute long, but this new version doesn't just fade out (HAHAHAHA!!!!) THIS version is THREE minutes long, goes through the main theme THREE times, with the final strains being so triumphant and joyous I could not help but feel an electrifying charge the first dozen or so times (come to think of it, I still feel that way). This is superior to the original in EVERY way. AWESOME.

And let's not forget the incredible new rendition of Stargate with it's heavy use of clarinets (for Egyptian effect!) and a triumphant new ending (completely lacking the chanting from the original version. This version is so different that for the first minute it is very hard to tell that it is in fact Stargate. But then the main theme kicks in, and then you get this incredible flute solo for my favorite part of theme (the whole thing is played slower, but arguably more powerfully than the original). My goodness. At first I found the thing so different I didn't like it. But then I listened to it again. And again. And again.

I could go on and on, talking about the fantastic new rendition of Moon Raker, the ear-popping Battlestar Galactica, the classic Star Trek (First Contact has a minute or two of the theme from Star Trek:The Motion Picture before going into the main theme), or the sweet renditions of music from the Star Wars movies (or the music from E.T.).

I have to mention though that this collection was not picked based merely on what people want, or on what is popular. No, the people who made it obviously thought a GOOD music collection was better than a popular one. That's why you get a heartbreakingly beautiful theme from A.I. instead of the main theme. It's why you get music from movies that you probably never gave a second thought to the music (because the movie was lousy). It's why you get Armageddon, Judge Dredd, and Robocop (who would have guessed their music was so COOL when there was all that crazy action and bad-acting going on on-screen).

I said it before and I'll say it again. This cd-set was mastered with tender-loving-care, and it shows BIG-TIME. High-fidelity the likes of which I have not seen since the days when cds were brand-new in the world. Dolby Surround. Perfectly balanced. BEAUTIUFL orchestrations. About the only thing that makes me scratch my head is the weird sound-effect tracks (Oooookay.....). Other than that, it's PERFECT. Obviously they could not include every sci-fi theme ever (no one can), but this collection is REALLY GOOD. A lot of great themes that got away (forgotten gems :), new versions of old favorites, and under-appreciated classics aplenty, but ALWAYS the full and complete versions with nothing cut-out (the theme from Dune is quite extended).

If you love movie music (and sci-fi movie music in particular) you MUST buy this awesome collection). It is not the original recordings. Almost always the new ones are better (if they aren't better they're just equal). This is what you have been waiting for. I for one am going to be buying quite a few cds from this company in the future. Give your ears the treat they deserve. Buy it NOW.

SciFi Album gift.......2005-07-20

I bought the Science Fiction Album as a gift for my son who is twenty-one years old. He is a musician, and also a huge fan of many SciFi shows and movies. I thought this would be the perfect thing for him and I was right. He loves it!

Away From to be a Collectible Peace.......2004-12-16

If you like Sci-Fi movies and want a compilation of their important scores, this is the CD-set to buy. But let me warn you about that very few songs in the cds are from the original soundtracks. Most of them is re-recorded by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. But the sound quality of cds are very good, because they have HDCD and Dolby Surround labels. This set is away from to be a collectible peace, but it is a good general compilation of favorite Sci-Fi movie scores.

Average customer rating:

The Most Underrated Metal Album Of All Time
Ton of bricks
...reviewing true metal albums
Geezer is the Man! (Black Saabath in the 90's!)
The most underrated album of all time

Black Science
Geezer
Manufacturer: Tvt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Plastic Planet
Iommi
The Eternal Idol
Dehumanizer
Black Rain

ASIN: B000000GSO
Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

Man In A Suitcase
Box Of Six
Mysterons
Justified
Department S
Area Code 51
Has To Be
Number 5
Among The Cybermen
Unspeakable Elvis
Xodiak
Northern Wisdom
Trinity Road

Amazon.com

In 1995, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler formed the band G/Z/R with guitarist Pedro Howse and vocalist Burton C. Bell, and released the unrelentingly brutal album Plastic Planet. But Bell's commitment to his other band Fear Factory forced him to leave G/Z/R. Unfortunately Bell took much of the group's immediacy and hostility with him. Renamed Geezer, the band's second album Black Science is more eclectic than Plastic Planet, but instead of being creatively diverse, Geezer mines a somewhat uninspired well of eerie, crunching riffs, overly-melodic hooks, and trite electronics. Bell's replacement, Clark Brown, sings in a voice that ranges from a vibrato-laden yowl to a throaty growl, but his vocals lack emotion, and are ultimately unconvincing. --Jon Wiederhorn

Customer Reviews:

The Most Underrated Metal Album Of All Time.......2006-03-31

This album is absolutely excellent from start to finish. There is not a bad song on here. What is remarkable is that this album is not overy reminiscent of Sabbath and is very original. The riffs are brutally heavy and Clark Brown is a very accomplished and charismatic singer. There are a number of excellent songs on here such as "Box of Six", "Mysterons", and "Justified". Any metalhead should own this album.

Ton of bricks.......2002-03-12

This is so heavy you would would believe Geezer was still a spring chicken. He's got a bright spanky heavy bass tone on this miles away from sabbath sounds, and the production is up front and modern all the way, with crushing guitars and enormous bass presence. Not all the songs are top notch, some of it sounds like filler to me, but Man in a Suitcase, Box of Six, Area Code 51, and Trinity Road are first rate. The first two in particular get the album started with a blast of brutally warped thrash that's awe-inspiring. Super guitar riffs. If you were lucky enough to see them on tour in support of this you know that vocalist Clark is a madman, but if you missed out, this underappreciated disc will give you a great dose of mayhem at home too.

...reviewing true metal albums.......2001-06-01

I've been listening to power, progressive, death, black and thrash metal for the last 18 years and I'm here to tell you that Geezer is playing VERY modern power metal with a ton of punch, polish and doomy darkness. This album just kicks hard and Clark is one of the best young vocalists in metal, mixing up slick harmony vocals on the choruses, with various ragings that heighten the intensity of each piece. He's got a fascinating style that incorporates many elements of hardcore while at the same time being distinctly metal.

Pedro Howse is another young prodigy, and uses effects wonderfully on his guitar. Combine this with riff after riff that nearly tears your head off, and you've got something potent here.

And Geezer? Well, he put this whole package together--the credit is clearly due him first and foremost. I've enjoyed BLACK SCIENCE so much that I can honestly say I'm looking forward to the next Geezer album more than the upcoming Sabbath album with the original line-up. And that says a lot!

BTW, if you dig this disc, try out Engine, ENGINE. This is Ray Alder and Joey Vera's (Fates Warning) side project. Again, very modern power metal with great vocals and tons of punch.

HAIL!

Geezer is the Man! (Black Saabath in the 90's!).......2001-05-03

The Evil here is so great! Over power the Mind and destroy! Geezer Butler here makes an album of pure Power and aggression! Shell the keyboards and the Bass burn on this album! Some here have questioned the words of the Great Geezer well......... Please don't listen to theses words unless don't like words to such songs as: Electric Funeral, war pigs, Black Sabbath, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and other such songs. If you thought any of those songs are silly then your right, you wont like it in the content. This album has a mix of keyboard and a more artsy Bass to it. Vocals on this album are not as roughly cut as the "G//Z/R -Plastic Planet" and this album also trys to cover some more funny subjects in a sometimes not so funny manner. Lets now judge the songs that make up this super album..... 1. Man in a Suitcase- Fast smooth start to the album. 85%2. Box of Six- Fast and more rough. 90%3. Mysterious- This song seems to me seemed to have been a great song for the Matrix Soundtrack. It is much like the movie with. 100% 4. Justified- This song seems to be the mostlikely filler on this album. But parts of this song are interesting. 85% 5. Department s- Heavy, Mean and in Your face! This song in ways sounds like metallica in a aggresive state.95%6. Area Code 51- Heavy and the scary song on here. Probably this song could have been on Paranoid if that space stuff was what they were into. 95%7. Has to Be- This is sort of a whiner track. But good enough! 90%8. No. 5- Weird Whiner here! Not a happy guy! This weird slow song will leave you atleast confussed! lol 90%9. Among the Cybermen- This song was the other filler song. Slow intro to a slow song with that deep voice singing. Which will probably bore a new listener. 75% 10. Unspeakable Elvis- A very funny slap song! The guitar in this song is top noch and you really feel the EVIL ELVIS! lol 100%11. Xodiak- Time to make fun of those cards! lol. This song is loud , fast, and weird! (Note: that noise that sounds like your speakers are breaking is in the music. Don't thnk your speakers are blown!) 95%12. Northern Wisdom- Weird "Love" song?! A song to confuse those who thought Geezer didn't have a soft side. Well your .......Right in some ways! lol The Bass in theone part is very weird and makes you think of destructive things! (Ths is for the Orginal factor)100% 13. Trinity Road- The song left over from the last albuM?! well its heavy and very angry! Geezer never ends anything on a positive note! 90%If you like this album: (Get mental help.....NOT!) G//Z/R-Plastic Planet, Black Sabbath-Paranoid,Black Sabbath-Dehumanizer, Black Sabbath-Sabbath, Bloody Sabath, Black Sabbath-Sabatoge, Black Sabbath-Born Again,

The most underrated album of all time.......2000-11-03

Geezer Butler has done it again! This awsome album is in a class of it's own. It unleashes a truly unique blend of new age metal and dark gothic rock. The riffs are almost sinister sounding, and new singer Clarke Brown has one of the coolest voices I've ever heard, creating an eerie yet excellent CD. With this dark blend of rock, it is certainly one of the best night driving albums out there, but it is also energetic, meaning it makes for great party music as well.

The only drawback this album has is that it's too hard to find. If you can't find it in a record store, you're only option is to buy it here.... Don't pass this one up.

The Other Side Paris
Average customer rating:

An unbelievably hot tech house mix.

great album! some computer playback issues

The Other Side Paris
Black Strobe
Manufacturer: Breakbeat Science
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
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Suck My Deck

ASIN: B000BCIOGE
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

Black Strobe - Intro
Solid Groove - This Is Sick
Martini Bros - Darkroom
Hell - Jack Your Body
Front 242 - Operating Tracks (Instro)
Bauhaus - Terror Couple Kill Colonel
DS - Like It, Like That
Sun God - Return 2 Saturn
Midfield General - Error Dub
Basteroid - Schicking Data Per Post
Bastards of Love - Wheel of Passion
The Customers - Furious Sail Away
/ Boys Noize - Volta82
Trentemoller - Beta Boy
Mickey Oliver - Intensity
Black Strobe - Abwehr Disco
Huntemann - 50.1
Black Strobe - Deceive/Play

Album Description

Welcome To The Other Side! Introducing the next generation of city guides. The Other Side CD/DVD series uncovers the hidden gems of the world's great cities and puts them at your fingertips...and your earlobes. Utilizing the cutting edge DualDisc format, each edition of The Other Side features both a CD album compiled and mixed by a native audio pioneer, and a DVD hosted by the artist featuring an array of clips from each city's underground hot spots, including restaurants, bars, shops and clubs. The first 3 editions of The Other Side are Fischerspooner's New York, Damian Lazarus' London and Black Strobe's Paris.

Customer Reviews:

An unbelievably hot tech house mix. .......2006-03-19

Straight through, barring one cheesy vocal track, this is a non-stop aural assault of the most sinister and high energy tech house you are ever going to hear. This mix is full of special effects courtesy of their self titled "Decks and Effects" mixing style, with Ivan on turntables and Arnaud on a laptop. I must admit, when I first checked out this CD in my local shop when it first came out, and read the back where it says "always funky, this mix encapsulates the Paris disco underground" I opted not to buy it, thinking it would be too Parisian disco funk for my tastes. I finally decided to pick it up, after hearing a few of Black Strobe's latest tracks in other mixes, and thinking they sounded very techy.

I have to say I am glad I ended up buying this, because it just blew me away. There aren't very many all tech house mixes out there, so this one is perfect. It has dark, fast beats, all the way through. I nearly slammed into a police cruiser taking a corner too fast, while listening to track 17. You have to use extreme caution when playing this one loud in your vehicle!!

The only thing keeping it from being a completely perfect mix is track 6, which is a horrible pop or alternative sounding vocal track, that totally seems out of place. I had to check my CD player for a moment, thinking I had accidentally switched the CD off and went to radio, because it sounds that odd. Then I thought maybe the record company accidentally burned the wrong track 6 onto the Black Strobe CD!

You also get a 24 minute DVD that shows you a quirky look at hidden spots in Paris you wouldn't see in other travel shows. At the end, Black Strobe talk a little about themselves and their history.

This is an incredible adrenaline rush and a super hot tech house mix you simply can't pass up.

great album! some computer playback issues.......2006-01-07

Would be 4-stars except for some playback issues. This is more techno/dance oriented than Other Side: New York. I have had some problems playing back on some computers. I tried it on several Macs and Windows PCs. Some systems can play and rip this album fine. Some cannot even mount it. The record label is aware of the problem and has been very responsive to my feedback. Kudos to them for their help!

Average customer rating:

Space is Not the place
pretty good
More Archetypal Than Archestral
What a bizarre delight!
Sun Ra universe will be verified by physics!

Sun Ra - Space Is The Place

Manufacturer: Plexifilm
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0000CD5F5
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Amazon.com

This peculiar, rather warped feature is a product of the highly original mind of the late "musician-thinker" Sun Ra (the former Herman "Sonny" Blount, an accomplished jazz pianist and bandleader). The 82-minute, 1974 film melds effects that are straight out of '50s Japanese sci-fi, politics reflecting '60s racial radicalism, and the overall vibe of '70s blaxploitation films, with some African-Egyptian mythology thrown in for good measure. It isn't exactly a masterpiece of cinema; the production values are mediocre, the story is thin (Ra, who co-wrote, portrays an alien who offers oppressed African Americans the opportunity to seek their "alter-destiny" in outer space; complications ensue before his spaceship departs with true believers on board), the acting amateurish. But it's entertaining--Ra's array of costumes (especially his headgear) is impressive, and we do at least get a taste of his Intergalactic Solar Arkestra's heady brew of avant-garde jazz. --Sam Graham

Description

DESCRIPTION:Science fiction, blaxploitation, cosmic free-jazz and radical race politics combine when Sun Ra returns to earth in his music-powered space ship to battle for the future of the black race and offer an "alter-destiny" to those who would join him. Intentionally created as an homage to the low-budget science fiction films of the 50's and 60's, SPACE IS THE PLACE became a visual embodiment of Sun Ra's Afro-Egyptian myth of salvation in outer space. The special effects, outrageous plot line and apocalyptic message harmonize with the otherworldly score and a climactic live performance by one of the most innovative and profound groups in jazz history. After having traveled through space in a yellow spaceship propelled by music, Sun Ra finds a planet he believes could serve as a new home for the black race. Returning to earth, he lands in Oakland, California circa 1972 and has to battle The Overseer, played by Ray Johnson (from 1971's DIRTY HARRY), a supernatural villain exploiting the black people. The Overseer, the FBI, and NASA -- who are after Ra's Black Space Program -- attempt to assassinate Ra, who escapes into space with his followers before the destruction of Earth. Cosmic blaxploitation cum sociological critique, SPACE IS THE PLACE defies categorization. It is at once a platform for Sun Ra's radical racial philosophies, an indictment of the government's policies in Vietnam-era U.S., cult camp flick, sci-fi movie and concert film with unforgettable performances by the Intergalactic Solar Arkestra. Since its extremely limited release in 1974 -- the film played very briefly in San Francisco and New York -- SPACE IS THE PLACE has become an underground legend spoken about but never seen, and if so, in poorly dubbed bootlegs or in the severely adulterated 1992 VHS version.

Customer Reviews:

Space is Not the place.......2007-07-21

Appropriately named a blaxploitation film, Space is the Place does more harm than good in promoting "blackness", in spite of its attempts to weave in sophisticated technological and mythic themes. It is an arduous task finding positive representations and ideas amidst the white noise of drugs, bitches, pimps, and, well, noise. Ironically, part of the process is not understanding, as finally clarified in Sun Ra's concert approaching the end of the film.

The good versus evil, religious, and Egyptian themes are relatively transparent, and the exclusive application to blacks (though strangely only to American blacks), is a reaction to the same monopolization on the part of whites. There is a mythical garden, an Eden-like place, an ark in the form of a space ship, and immortality in space/heaven, all reserved for blacks. Rather than promoting equality and peaceful coexistence, the message is one of segregation and near mutual annihilation. This could be because the divide between blacks and whites seems wide and hopelessly irreparable, or because blacks themselves are unable to rise up out of their oppressed state without outside or divine assistance. In all these cases thus far, the militant pro-black attitude actually agrees a great deal with white racism, promoting segregation and stating that blacks bear a great responsibility for their own plight, and cannot get their acts together.

This negative presentation of disenfranchised groups continues in the hyper-sexualization of black women (and white women), seen in the whores, stories of abused women, told by their men and pimps, nurses, and numerous silent women riding in cars. Another notable phenomenon is the use of exploiting women to elevate one's status, especially if the woman is white. This implies not only that the assignment of female is even more subjugating than blackness, and that white women are a greater prize than black ones: the overseer's choice woman is white, and he first shows sexual interest in the white nurse, who happens to bring her black friend. Lines like "...do what your daddy says, and everything will be fine--it's better than shooting up on the stoop, isn't it?" both deprive women of the ability to make choices, and imply their predisposition to drugs and catering to their carnal instincts; this resembles the antiquated, racist, white perceptions of blacks, this time transferred to women. The line spoken by the pimp, who defends the fact that he beat his woman to the point of hospitalization, says "bitches need it". Somehow this man receives salvation in the end, but why, we never know.

The alternating predatory or impotent black male persists throughout Space is the Place. The best example of this is in the devil-like Overseer, and his pathetic (half-white?) assistant. It could be, however, that the impotent part of him comes from that inner whiteness in his personality, since the two NASA men are unable to perform in the same brothel on the same day.

The concert is the moment where Sun Ra explains his philosophy. Throughout the film, he establishes music as a balancing, mathematical, sophisticated force that can power anything from spaceships to an entire race. It can cause chaos, revolution, and salvation, so the fact that Sun Ra uses his unusual form of jazz to spread his message is expected. He asks, at the end of the film, for blind trust, for understanding that blacks are "the pattern and spirit of man", he asks them to not be afraid and to embrace their ignorance as their salvation. It is an ambiguous ending resulting in the salvation of whores, teenage hoodlums who save Sun Ra from the NASA men, a pimp who abuses women, and the black half of Jimmy Fey, helper of the Overseer.

If nothing else, this film may be good for a laugh as some charmingly dated things can be, but whether in its own context of the time or now, it is offensive to the mind and ear. Best seen with a group of drunk friends, I would imagine.

pretty good.......2006-03-31

this film is pretty nice but not nearly as great as the documentary A Joyful Noise. I highly recommend purchasing A Joyful Noise first because it provides a deeper look into Sun Ra.

More Archetypal Than Archestral.......2005-05-25

I picked up this curious period piece of psychedelic, indie-fueled moviemaking some time ago. Sorry now I waited so long to view it. It's a delightful combination of '70's pop culture, science fiction fantasy, Sun Ra musical storytelling through his Inter-Galactical Outer Space Archestra, and black pride allegory that manages to be quite on point.

Initially, I was too fascinated by the imagery and music to think much about any message. In retrospect, Sun Ra is a spiritual being from a space colony playing chess with an earthly demonic pimpmaster for big stakes: the souls of exploited people, black (mostly) and white. The pimpmaster also plays the system, selling his black brothers and sisters to addiction and prostitution for his own pleasure, trapping them in an oppressive, seemingly inescapable existence. A third main character is the media commentator--Jimmy Fay--who seems to be a shill for the pimpmaster and his worldly culture but eventually comes around (perhaps more John the Baptist than Jesus Christ) to sharing the enlightened message of Sun Ra, joining those who are delivered from bondage. All ends happily in a Sun Ra space colony of resurrected, reborn black/white humanity.

Even if you don't buy the Biblical allegory, it's still a cool trip, with a bit of harmless nudity and violence for good measure (just like Cecil De Mille).

What a bizarre delight!.......2004-10-07

What a simultaneously hysterical with fits of lucidity presentation! The running battle between Ra and "Overseer" is a great subtext. Gives some insights into the man, somewhat in spite of Sun Ra's best efforts to stay a "Mystery". The cheesey effects and over the top acting has to be viewed as an ultimate camp cult movie. A JOYFUL NOISE is almost as bizarre, but probably more accessible. Most of the charm is that you can't tell whether he is plain nuts or goofing with you. I understand this was very calculated and intentional on his part.

Parliament/Funkadelic owe more to this guy than I think anybody realizes. I don't know if George Clinton has ever acknowledged his debt to Sun Ra, at least conceptually, for doing the full blown conceptual thing decades before him.

Sun Ra universe will be verified by physics!.......2004-02-23

What a great super-fly atmosphere, Oakland in the early 70s.
Ra has some great parts, and as always the music is tops.

SPACE IS THE PLACE!

The Black Mass
Average customer rating:
The Black Mass

Manufacturer: Son Boy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0009VTA06

Product Description

Surprise reissue of the most infamous and difficult to procure Sun Ra artifact; originally issued on Amiri Baraka (then LeRoi Jones)'s Jihad label (home of the original Sunny's Time Now by Sunny Murray as well). This is the first release on the DC-based Son Boy label officially sanctioned by Baraka (and mastered from the original tapes that have been sitting in his basement all along). A strange and revolutionary play by Baraka, with musical interludes by the Myth-Science Orchestra. Very, very historic. This is a sort of radio horror play written by LeRoi Jones (Imamu Amiri Baraka) and based on the Nation of Islam story of the evil angel Yaqub. Ra and the Arkestra provide incidental music. The backing is mostly spare and low-volume, so as not to drown out the players. Actors: Amiri Baraka; Carl Boissiere; David Shakes; Bob Washington; Yusef Iman; Barry Wynn. Women's Chorus: Elaine Jones, Jacqui Bugg, Sylvia Jones. Musical backing: Sun Ra-Hohner clavinet, organ; Marshall Allen-alto sax, oboe, piccolo; Danny Davis-alto sax; John Gilmore-tenor sax, percussion; Pat Patrick-baritone sax, percussion; Robert Cummings-bass clarinet; Ronnie Boykins-bass; (probably: Nimrod Hunt-percussion; James Jacson-percussion). When the women are asked to contain the monster with an incantation, they oblige with the melody of Satellites are Spinning.

Average customer rating:

Season of Séance, Science of Silence
Unearthly Trance
Manufacturer: Music Cartel
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1999-08-30

Tracks:

Amrita Flux - Sacred System
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Amazon.com

Reanimator is a modern dub project brought to you by Bill Laswell and several of his underworld brethren. Similar to some of the other dub compilations that have been floating around these last couple of years, the conceptualization of dub varies greatly from artist to artist. Master percussionist Doug Sharin and his HIM ensemble usher the dub philosophy into the 21st century with the "Science of X," giving the rubbery riddim a much more synthetic veneer. Laswell compatriot DXT uses his turntables to humbly evoke an industrial Armageddon time on "Maduba (Crisis Creation)." Are there better dub albums? Sure. Is there anything wrong with this one? Not much. --Mitch Myers

Customer Reviews:

ion dub classicz.......2005-01-27

This is my new favorite compilation. This one is filled to the bone with some of the best dub for that time. Any fan of laswell and co. The first song amrita flux also for asana 2 is one of the best eastern dub laswell songs ever, featuring field recordings from bombay, and miami. D.X.T. (aka grandmixer dst Keeps it real as always with his particula brand of electro eastern dub. Almamegretta provides their italian dub in the best fashion along with fellow italian eraldo bernocchi's project simm which has 2 songs on this album. Robert Musso laswell's usual engineer and has 3 albums under his name and also the transonic projects wich also has 3 albums compiles an all new transonic song ion dub for this release. The him group featured here is not the gothic rock crappo group but an electronic dub project. Ive never heard the project ben-wa before but that song is amazing. And i hope by now we all know who mad professor is their is no surprise here class mad dubbinz

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