“Universal Stars”
by Universe Sun
1975 song
Sky Saxon tried to revive his stalled career around 1974 with the release of a 7-inch single on Emerald Light Records; its b-side was a song called "Universal Stars" and it was credited to the band Universe Sun. (The a-side, "Diamonds In The Rough", was credited to Sunlight And Thee New Seeds; it was a different recording of the same basic song, with perhaps the same or mostly the same musicians).
"Universal Stars" is more dense and psychedelically arranged than its a-side, which was more in a sparse, lean rock vein. Wah-wah guitar, distant echoes, a precise and melodic bass, and a meaty, thumping beat define "Universal Stars". Sky’s lyrics take a tour around the countries of the world, with Sky crying out about “Russian star”, “German star”, et cetera.
As with its a-side, "Universal Stars" fades out around the two-minute mark — quite a shame, as the band seems to have just begun and the song still seems to have somewhere to go.
"Universal Stars" would be re-released a year or two later on a 7-inch on the Expression label; it is identical except for the artist appellation, which was changed to Sky Sunlight And Thee New Seeds (featuring Rainbow).
Available on
"Diamonds In The Rough" b/w "Universal Stars" — 1974~5 7-inch (Emerald Light 8)
"Beautiful Stars" b/w "Universal Stars" — 1976 7-inch (Expression 777)
Related Singles, CD 12 of the God And Hair YaHoWha 13 box set (1998)
