Without a doubt, this is one of the coooolest Sun Ra albums I've heard. This is the one to put on during those summer heat waves while you chill in a long chair with a cold drink in your hands. Bassism (what a great title!) sets the mood immediately and will have you bob your head in slow motion, eyes barely open. Those looking for one of Sun Ra's completely oddball albums might be disappointed with this one, the wacky tracks are scarce and very subtle, but they're there. Then again, the songs that seem traditional at face value on any Sun Ra record often pack enough of a surprise once you dig under the surface. With this album, we are treated to an incredible variety of music, no two songs are alike and this constant changing make it one of the more intoxicating albums. There are light years between the primeval sounds of The Beginning and smoky lounge number that is Early Autumn, yet both tracks have their place on the record and are equally exiting!