This late Sun Ra recording was made just one year prior to him taking off and leaving Planet Earth for Saturn. There is, however, no indication here that either he or the Arkestra were slowing down. The Ulm concert is a marathon of jazz playing, spread over two CDs and taking in almost every aspect of Sun Ra's musical interests and beliefs. Although John Gilmore was not present here, Marshall Allen's alto sax and flute playing, combined with Michael Ray's cosmic trumpet blasts, send out a squall of blazing fire music that probably scorched the front row. The team of Bruce Edwards on electric guitar and Jothan Callins on electric bass give this Arkestra a grittier urban sound where chunks of funk are slipped alongside the more standard marching band workouts. For his part Ra sounds positively spry, calmly leading his faithful group of musicians through a joyous set that includes many of his major compositions. Disc 2 is a continuous track (with encores) – a showcase of interplanetary improvisations and Ra originals that peaks with an impressive triple-decker ‘Space Is The Place’/'We Travel The Spaceways’/‘Out Spaceways Incorporated’ musical grand slam. All of which makes for a worthy addition to any serious Sun Ra collection.