Kim Gordon, Sun Ra Arkestra, Slauson Malone 1 @ SummerStage

by Kevin McGann | Jun 21, 2024 | Shows

Kim Gordon at SummerStage (photo by Kevin McGann)

Nearly thirty two years after Sonic Youth and Sun Ra Arkestra first played together at Central Park’s SummerStage, on July 4th 1992, there was a reunion of sorts last week at the same venue. The Arkestra opened for Kim Gordon who was there in support of her brilliant second solo album, The Collective. If it wasn’t hot enough going into that show, the park grounds were scorched by the time it was done.

Opening the night was Slauson Malone 1, the music and art performance project from New York producer and musician Jasper Marsalis. As a member of the legendary family of jazz musicians, Marsalis has a rich background in music that provides the foundation for his own. A style that alternates between a more traditional guitar based, singer songwriter approach and down on the ground, punk infused screaming that got the crown amped for what was to come.

Sun Ra Arkestra took the stage to thunderous applause before they played a single note. The legendary group boasts a stage full of seasoned jazz musicians that carry on the name of the late great Sun Ra himself who passed away in 1993. And none more impressive than the man who has led them since that time, the great multi-instrumentalist Marshall Allen who celebrated his 100th birthday this year. It’s hard to imagine this man is even close to 100 years old as he still wails on his sax with the fervor of someone a third of his age. And the crowd was loving every minute of the group’s legendary Afrofuturism sound as they danced along to the swinging beats.

As much fun as the first two acts were, the crowd was ready for Gordon to take the stage. And the legendary musician, producer, author, artist and fashion icon did not disappoint. The set opened with The Collective’s lead single, the viral sensation “BYE BYE,” and instantly set the tone for what was to come. The mix of spoken word, noisy, trap and hip-hop beats has brought Gordon a whole new legion of fans who are no doubt reaching into the rich catalog of music she produced alongside Sonic Youth. But this was no retrospective, greatest hits performance. This was the sound of someone who is looking ahead and creating some of her most exciting work to date. Highlights included “I Don’t Miss My Mind,” “I’m a Man,” and “Psychedelic Orgasm” from The Collective as well as “Air BnB” and “Hungry Baby” from her first solo album, No Home Record.

Check out the new album if you haven’t already and make sure to catch this show when it hits a city near you.