Legendary Sun Ra bassist Ronnie Boykins (1935-1980) stepped out on his own for his first and only release as a leader on "The Will Come, Is Now". He was invited by ESP in 1964 to record his own album, and in February 1974, he told ESP that he was finally ready, and the session took place later that month. This recording not only features Boykins's solid abilities as a bassist, including his marvelous arco work, but also his talents as a composer and arranger.
Track Listing:
Side A
1. The Will Come, Is Now 12:30
2. Starlight at the Wonder Inn 7:32
3. Demon's Dance 3:20
Side B
4. Dawn Is Evening, Afternoon 6:17
5. Tipping on Heels 4:49
6. The Third I 12:24
All compositions by Ronnie Boykins.
Personnel:
Ronnie Boykins: bass, Sousaphone , bells, shaker
Joe Ferguson: flute, soprano sax, tenor sax, shaker
Art Lewis: percussion, drums, bells, shaker
Jimmy Vass: flute, alto sax, soprano sax, bells, shaker
Monty Waters: alto, soprano, bells, shaker
George Avaloz: conga, bells, shaker
Daoud Haroom: trombone, bells, shaker
Marzette Watts: engineer
Overview:
Legendary Sun Ra bassist Ronnie Boykins (1935-1980) stepped out on his own for his first and only release as a leader on The Will Come, Is Now. He was invited by ESP in 1964 to record his own album, and in February 1974, he told ESP that he was finally ready, and the session took place later that month. This recording not only features Boykins's solid abilities as a bassist, including his marvelous arco work, but also his talents as a composer and arranger. In addition, one is treated to an all-natural bass sound, a rare sound during this particular era of jazz history. In septet format, Boykinss' six originals create a variety of moods and textures that not only evoke the music of Sun Ra but also reflect Boykins's own sensibilities as an artist.
Original pressings, made just before ESP-Disk’ went on hiatus for forty years and thus less common than other ESP LPs, often go for upwards of $150. This limited edition of 500 is on black 180-gram vinyl and features the original artwork.
Press Quotes:
“Ronnie Boykins is best known for his work as bassist with Sun Ra (between 1958 and 1966), but the odd meters and horn arrangements in this 1975 septet…recall Mingus more than they do Boykins' former employer. Ra's influence is more evident, as its title might suggest, on the final "The Third I," where ensemble members double up on percussion for an energetic polyrhythmic romp.” – Dan Warburton, All Music Guide (4 stars)
“Boykins journeys through the Heliocentric worlds back to his Afro-centric soul at the helm of a fine ensemble with music that cuts to the heart of a spiritualism born of John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, and Archie Shepp.” – Raul de Gama, All About Jazz
