Top tracks — play these first
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The Bad and the Beautiful Start here — The title track opens the album with a compelling juxtaposition of lush orchestration against sharp improvisational bursts, setting the tone for the exploration of beauty and complexity.
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Ankh — This track features intricate rhythms and layered instrumentation, showcasing Sun Ra's ability to blend traditional jazz elements with experimental sounds that evoke a sense of otherworldliness.
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On the Blue Side — With its reflective mood, this track highlights Sun Ra's lyrical arrangements and showcases his talent for creating immersive soundscapes that invite deep listening.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends structured and improvised elements effectively, showcasing Sun Ra's unique style.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with emotional depth
- exploratory listening for curious minds
- suitable for reflective moments
- short sessions of rich detail
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer straightforward structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Ambitious fusion of styles reflects Sun Ra's unique vision and artistic evolution.
- Career context
- By 1972, Sun Ra had firmly established himself as a leading figure in avant-garde jazz, with 'Bad and Beautiful' being one of his key releases during this period. This album followed the critically acclaimed 'Space Is the Place' (1973) and showcased his innovative approach to jazz, blending elements of big band arrangements with free-form experimentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ornette Coleman· Pharoah Sanders· Albert Ayler
Tracklist
- 1 The Bad and the Beautiful Start here 2:46
- 2 Ankh 5:17
- 3 Just in Time 3:53
- 4 Search Light Blues 5:46
- 5 Exotic Two 4:50
- 6 On the Blue Side 5:32
- 7 And This Is My Beloved 3:19
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Shape of Jazz to Come
Ornette Coleman
Explores free jazz's experimental boundaries with avant-garde improvisation and complex harmonic structures.
Journey in Satchidananda
Alice Coltrane
Merges spiritual themes with cosmic soundscapes, featuring rich orchestration and meditative improvisation.
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
Blends structured compositions with free-form jazz elements, showcasing intricate arrangements and emotional depth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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