The Sun Ra Archives of Alton Abraham and James Bryant via destination-out.com

The destination-out.com site seems lost to the ether of the internet, but I wanted to archive this post from it about the Alton Abraham and James Bryant Sun Ra Archives by Michael Anderson.

Here's more on where Sun Ra tapes did end up:

http://destination-out.com/?p=25

"Dr. Bop Says:
March 14th, 2007 at 6:08 pm

Dear Space Friends,

Thank you ever so kindly for this site. I was a member of the Arkestra during the height of the next height of the band during the mid 70’s. I am currently writng a book about this time when we had Craig Harris, Robin and Kevin Eubanks (Jay Leno Show), Bobo Brown (Oscar’s Brown Jr.’s son) and so many others.

Sun Ra gave me the job as Music Archivist due to my being on radio back then (WRTI-FM-Temple University) and I currently am correcting the many discographies that exist and am chronologically writing a spreadsheet on the concerts that were done from day one up to his passing.

In view of the discography; Sun Ra recorded enough material for several albums in one session and I have found numerous alternate takes and unreleased material.

I left the band, as a performer, in 1984 to further my radio broadcast career at WBGO-FM Jazz 88 in Newark, New Jersey but remained involved as promotions person making sure the records were being played on radio. Of course I would go to see my space family from time to time.

After Sunny had the first stroke I would go to Philly to give him a bath and clean up the house and pack up tapes that were scattered everywhere. At one point Sunny said for me to take some of the tapes because I would know what to do with them. At one point things started disappearing from the house and I sent Alton Abraham what I had.

In 1988 Alton Abraham received a **** load of tapes and Sunny got real pissed at me for doing this. I sent the tapes Alton so not to be blamed for any unjust actions.

After Sunny then Alton split the planet the tapes again came into my possession from Mr. James Bryant, one of the original board members of El Saturn Research, back in the year 2000. At this point I was working with Bernard Stollman (ESP-Disk) and he and Mr. Bryant were at odds most of the time.

When I received the tapes they were in horrendous shape, out of boxes, wrong tapes in boxes, and so much other heart wrenching ****. I knew I had a job on my hands which started back in the mid 70’s.

I was advised by Mr. James Bryant to return all tapes after I did my research which I did. Mr. Bryant didn’t trust many people and after I semi walked away from the project he put the tapes in storage and then died. To this day some of the tapes are presumed lost.

So, in closing, I’m working with Marshall Allen, Danny Thompson, and Elson on reinstating the legal documents involving El Saturn Research as a record label. There are so many great shows we did that were recorded that I hope some day soon will finally be released.

Space Is The Place

Dr. Bop"