Sun Ra – Lanquidity

“People are sleeping, and I’m here to wake them up from their slumber.” — Sun Ra

Lanquidity is one of Sun Ra’s most popular albums—because it’s something of a “pop” effort. Recorded and issued in 1978 on Tom Buchler’s short-lived Philly Jazz label, Lanquidity represented a stylistic pivot for Sunny, who had rarely paid much attention to mainstream music trends. Lanquidity, however, is very much of its time, reflecting late-period disco, bottom-heavy funk, and dance-floor soul grooves. Nonetheless, it is very much a Sun Ra album, and steady beats notwithstanding, it’s full of surprises, idiosyncrasies, and uncommon moves.