Browse by Artist: SUN RA

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Media Dreams
Label:	ART YARD (UK)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$28.00
Catalog #:	ARTYARD 002CD

"This is the companion to Disco 3000, made on the same classic Italian quartet tour with John Gilmore, Michael Ray (trumpet) and the minimal but perfect Luqman Ali (drums). Ra himself plays piano and electronic keyboards, including the mysterious Crumar Mainman, which Ra describes as 'like a piano, organ, clavichord, cello, violin and brass instruments' and which also, importantly, has a facility for pre-programmed bass lines and electronic percussion, which Ra uses constantly and to great effect in this small ensemble setting and seldom, if ever, elsewhere. The best of this collection (most of CD1) is luminous: very electronic, often rhythmical and melodic, always economical and making every sound count. These tracks are like no other jazz ensemble and, although recognizable as Ra -- who else could think of, and then get away with this -- unlike any other Ra ensemble, either. Ra makes the machines do amazing, visionary things while the band exercises restraint, remaining always in focus. In between, there are piano, saxophone, trumpet and drum vignettes, fresh and perfectly judged; this real was a fine band. This places the original vinyl release (and related releases, Sound Mirror and Disco 3000) back into the context of the concerts from which they were drawn. An important addition to the Sun Ra canon, since it is a rare document of an unusual Ra project that produced three classic late '70s LPs. Beautifully packaged and well annotated."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Space Probe
Label:	ART YARD (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$19.00
Catalog #:	ARTYARD 011CD

"A transition classic. Recorded mostly in the early '60s with Ra, Marshall Allen, John Gilmore, James Jacson, Nimrod Hunt and Thea Barbara, Space Probe explores stripped back forms and colour combinations that are far from jazz -- or that attempt, very successfully, to take jazz into wholly new territories. Especially notable is the extraordinary Conversation Of J.P. for piano and percussion which, along with the opening track - an 18-minute Moog solo, probably recorded in 1970, just after Ra had newly acquired the instrument and was still putting it through its paces - make this an essential release in the Ra canon. As a whole, there is an impressive palette of ideas and experiments here, situating Ra at the heart of the musical revolution that was overturning orthodoxies in every field of musical endeavor at this time. The title track is notable as documenting Ra's early exploration (his first released) of the unworldly potential of a newly-acquired Mini-Moog --a prototype, in fact, given him by Robert Moog to test. Moog always claimed afterwards that he never understood exactly where some of those sounds came from -- suspecting he might have modified the instrument in some way."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Disco 3000
Label:	ART YARD (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$19.00
Catalog #:	ARTYARD 101CD

"Recorded at The Teatro Cilak, 1/23//1978, Milan Italy - Sun Ra: piano, organ, Moog, Crumar Mainman, vocals - John Gilmore: tenor sax, drums, vocals - Luqman Ali: drums, vocals - Michael Ray: trumpet, vocals. In the winter months of 1977-1978, philosopher, pianist and bandleader Sun Ra was in Italy. The Italian tour resulted in releases on Sun Ra's own Saturn label, all of which have long been out of print and all but impossible to find. With the re-release of Disco 3000, one of the most celebrated of these elusive Saturn gems is once more available. This release, and its companion Media Dreams, capture a side of Sun Ra's work - small ensemble, close form, original composition, rather minimal - that is otherwise under-represented. Depending heavily on Ra's electric and electronic keyboards (including the mysterious Crumar Mainman - of which even the company has no record) and, more unusually, on his intelligent use of sequencers and rhythm machines, this is an important window on the evolution of Ra's musical thinking, rendered even more transparent by the economy of its means; a quartet comprising only saxophonist John Gilmore, trumpeter Michael Ray and drummer Luqman Ali." 24 bit (mastered from the original tapes). 6 panel digipack features biographical notes by Michael Ray.

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Nuclear War
Label:	ATAVISTIC
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	ALP 222CD

2011 repress, originally reissued 2001. "Nuclear War stands as one of the great monuments in the latter part of Sun Ra's enormous oeuvre. It's an LP that by all rights should have been one of his breakthroughs, featuring one of the tightest versions of the Philadelphia-era Arkestra in a program that includes an appealing mix of standards and Ra originals. The title track is arguably to the '80s what 'Space Is The Place' was to the '70s . Ra's anthem for the decade, a piece that perfectly reflected certain apocalyptic aspects of his philosophy and his underlying quest for a better future. Ra thought very highly of this recording. He personally approached Columbia Records, certain that it was a winner, and when they didn?t opt to issue it he reportedly became depressed and bitter. Eventually, Ra sold the music to an outfit called Y Records. Y was a very interesting British independent label whose catalogue included important post-punk LPs by the Pop Group and the Slits, some outstanding reggae and a couple of records of improvised music. In London at the beginning of the '80s, musical worlds were colliding, and people like Steve Beresford and David Toop actively crossed all kinds of genre borders, confusing rock and dub and jazz and noise. Y Records producer Dick O'Dell first put out 'Nuclear War' as a 12-inch single -- the idea of Ra on an extended play disco plate was, in its own way, sheer brilliance! -- b/w the glorious June Tyson vehicle 'Sometimes I'm Happy,' and two years later the full record was issued on Y Records in Italy. But the LP never went into full distribution and as a result the few copies that trickled into circulation became some of the rarest entries in Ra's discography."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Spaceship Lullaby
Label:	ATAVISTIC
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	ALP 243CD

"Ever-ready to delve into some serious sonic archaeology, The Unheard Music Series is proud to bring to light a compelling and particularly obscure facet of Sun Ra's Chicago activities from the mid-1950's: a collection entitled Spaceship Lullaby, featuring Ra's work with several vocal ensembles from the period. Although similar musings had heretofore been heard only on the rare 7"s compiled on The Singles (Evidence), Spaceship Lullaby presents a full CD's worth of unreleased material, including songs by Nu Sounds & The Cosmic Rays, plus a previously unknown doo-wop group known as The Lintels -- each singing popular tunes of the day. Strange, wonderful -- and even hilarious in places -- this is pop music as only Ra could envision it, featuring him on piano along with the great Robert Barry on drums; on a few select tracks, the Arkestra is even backing The Cosmic Rays. Included here for your enjoyment and edification are two songs (the glorious title track & 'Chicago U.S.A.'), which were known to exist but thought to be lost forever -- as well as 35 (!) other tracks."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Strange Celestial Road
Label:	CELESTIAL
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	CELEST 3035HLP

Exact repro reissue on 180 gram vinyl. "The music on the record gives a strong indication of the willingness to experiment, the desire to take changes. You will hear young voices new to the test alongside the experience magnificence of Sun Ra and John Gillmore, the unsung tenor giant who has earned the praises of John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, and if that isn't peer group recognition of the highest sort, I don't know what is. There's plenty of safe records all around you. But if you're interested in being safe, 'safe' from cosmic tones for mental therapy, then what are you doing reading this? If you're reading this then you've already begun your journey anyway." Keith Spring, from the back cover.

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Medicine For A Nightmare - The Singles
Label:	DOXY (ITALY)
Format:	LP
Price:	$23.00
Catalog #:	DOX 821LP

"Sun Ra: alien from Saturn or Herman Blount from Alabama? Either way, Sun Ra is one of the most interesting and prolific musicians in the history of jazz. Decades before his time, Sun Ra and his band, calling themselves the 'Arkestra,' began forming their own alternative reality, a new plane of cultural existence in which blacks were all powerful beings, gods from another planet sending their intergalactic message through jazz music. This idea went on to influence everyone from Funkadelic to the Outkast; in fact, when asked about Sun Ra, George Clinton once said, 'Yeah, Sun Ra is out to lunch, same place I eat at.' Do not miss this compilation of Sun Ra's rare early 7"s -- for the first time ever in one collection on vinyl!"

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	The Heliocentric Worlds Of Sun Ra Vol. 2
Label:	ESP-DISK
Format:	LP
Price:	$21.00
Catalog #:	ESPDISK 1017LP

"Volume two of Sun Ra's classic Heliocentric recordings from the 1960s. The astonishing sessions that went light years beyond 'free jazz' improvisation to create a music of deeply-felt, explosive and gentle gesture made from sound itself without reference to previous notions of melody or harmony are now reissued on 180 gram vinyl with Sun Ra's original, self-created cover art. Recorded by Richard Alderson on April 20, 1965, this set of tunes finds Sun Ra breaking ground by using synthesizers and having the Arkestra musicians double on percussion. More explorations of outer space by the spokesman for the space age. Manufactured in the U.S. by the original label. Digitally re-mastered." Numbered edition of 1000.

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Concert for the Comet Kohoutek
Label:	ESP-DISK
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.50
Catalog #:	ESPDISK 3033CD

"Recorded on December 22, 1973 in New York City at the famous Town Hall, this eclectic ESPDisk-sponsored celebration of the Comet Kohoutek featured a fire eater, talking drums, and dancers in platform shoes, in addition to Sun Ra's Arkestra. After taking the stage ninety minutes late, the band expertly navigates its way through cosmic free playing, big-band romps, and didactic vocal numbers. Compared to the original pressing, this re-issue is digitally remastered by Joe Phillips and includes brief liner notes by ESP label founder Bernard Stollman."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	College Tour Vol. 1: The Complete Nothing Is...
Label:	ESP-DISK
Format:	2CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ESPDISK 4060CD

"In 1966 Bernard Stollman sent Sun Ra and his Arkestra, along with audio engineer David B. Jones on a tour of five New York Colleges. When they returned, just 39 minutes of music was chosen to be released as the original ESP 1045 Nothing Is.... 44 years later, after extensive research, producer and Sun Ra archivist Michael D. Anderson has pieced together the missing parts of the infamous New York College Tour. Recorded on May 18th 1966 at St. Lawrence University in Potsdam, NY, this illuminating document represents the full 70 minute first set, of which ESP 1045 Nothing Is... was taken, including an introduction by ESP alum Burton Greene. In addition, producer Michael D. Anderson has uncovered a partial second set from the same evening and some rare rehearsal footage recorded during a sound check before the concert. With over 90 minutes of additional material, this two disc set allows a close up look at the band's repertoire and sound over an entire evening, including the rarely performed 'State Street' and alternate versions of 'Theme Of The Stargazers' and 'The Second Stop Is Jupiter.' Remasted from the original tapes and presented in superb quality, College Tour Volume One is a vivid snapshot of the mid-sixties Ra and his intergalactic band."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	The Heliocentric Worlds Of Sun Ra
Label:	ESP-DISK
Format:	3CD
Price:	$25.00
Catalog #:	ESPDISK 4062CD

"Together for the first time, ESP-Disk' is proud to present all three volumes of The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra in a gorgeous fold out digipack. Originally released as two volumes in 1966, and with a third volume uncovered in 2005, the landmark sessions recorded by Richard Alderson on April 20th and November 16, 1965, have been hailed as a '...masterpiece of free jazz.' To further delve into the Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra and his Orkestra, each enhanced disc in the set contains archival photos, critical writings and historical videos including the 18 minute documentary Sun Ra Spaceways. Digitally remastered from the original tapes."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra
Label:	FIVE FOUR (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$16.00
Catalog #:	FIVEFOUR 009CD

UK CD that is the same as the Savoy label release in the US and was imported in error. Different (inferior) artwork. "A true innovator and a consummate showman, Sun Ra was the first to integrate African rhythms, electronics and the Moog synthesizer into jazz in the late fifties and early sixties when such eclecticism was unheard of. As a musical pioneer, Sun Ra has much in common with the likes of Frank Zappa, Can, John Cage and Michael Nyman and has long been classified more as psychedelic or progressive rock than mainstream jazz. Sun Ra has one of the most collectable catalogues in the history of popular music and this timeless recording The Futuristic Sounds Of Sun Ra from 1961 is both one of the accessible and most classic."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Cosmos
Label:	INNER CITY
Format:	LP
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	IC 1020HLP

Exact repro reissue on 180 gram vinyl. Originally released IN 1977. "Cosmos is Sun Ra's philosophy embedded in plastic, courtesy of Inner City Records. It is an unprecedented look at the inner and outer worlds of sound; a magic mixture of the exotic and the mundane, the supernatural and the material, the solar wind beating against the rings of Saturn and the gentle spring breeze blowing a nearby oak tree. If nothing else, it is a voyage. To the stars. To the cosmos. To the edge of the universe. Beyond the unknown." -- Eric Kriss, from the back cover.

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	This Planet Is Doomed: The Science Fiction Poetry of Sun Ra
Label:	KICKS BOOKS
Format:	Book
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	KB 002BK

" This Planet Is Doomed, which collects the science-fiction poetry of Sun Ra, exploded into the stratosphere on 7/7/11, an auspicious day for numerologists and doomsday enthusiasts alike. 7/7 coincides historically with the detonation of 20 kiloton Little Feller II, the first of the last four above ground nuclear warhead tests conducted in the US. The date will also evidence interstellar overdrive when Saturn, Pluto, Uranus and Venus form an intense and rare alignment known as the Cardinal Grand Cross. This Planet Is Doomed serves up a traumatic torrent of future shock--deeply personal and critical commentary and unsettling advice to the people of Earth, who fail to acknowledge this planet's role in the universe. Poet Amiri Baraka's estimable foreword, together with science fiction historian Bhob Stewart's revealing introduction, set the stage for the heavy dose of the real and the unreal, which are delivered in the pages of This Planet Is Doomed. This book was collected from tape recordings and transcriptions culled from the Sun Ra Archives by director Michael Anderson, who worked with Norton Records to compile a total of six albums -- three collections of rare and unissued music recordings (on LP and CD) plus a trio (vinyl only) of unissued spoken word Sun Ra LP's. This Planet Is Doomed was expanded with the addition of several key 'lost' poems which appear here for the first time." 124 pages; softcover.

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	The Antique Blacks (Deluxe Edition)
Label:	KS ART YARD SERIES (NETHERLANDS)
Format:	LP
Price:	$23.50
Catalog #:	KSAY 005LP

Although Sun Ra wouldn't have called Earth home, there were a couple of cities that proved to have considerable significance on him and his music, and Philadelphia was one of the places that he really felt in his element. With the Arkestra HQ based at Marshall Allen's family home, a period of stability followed that resulted in some of Sun Ra's most well‐loved albums like Lanquidity, Sleeping Beauty, and On Jupiter. With the Foxhole Cafe and WXPN‐FM radio studio, there were excellent facilities for Sun Ra to broadcast his music to the world. The vitality you can hear on 1978's Antique Blacks is a testament to the unique energy of the community around The Foxhole. From Arkestra sax‐man Danny Thompson running the local convenience store, to the small but perfectly-formed Philly Jazz label, to knickers being thrown at Ra during a concert at the Foxhole, Philly lit Sun Ra's creative spark from 1968 right up to the early '90s. On Antique Blacks, Sun Ra blends elements of free jazz, off‐key synth explorations, and experimental theater into an otherworldly concoction that doesn't crop up anywhere else in the Arkestra's massive discography. He relishes his role as galactic narrator, with lines like "Let's try something different for you... Something like being alive, hahahaha!" sounding more like a quote from Zoltar rather than the Afro‐futurist bandleader we all know. Antique Blacks takes its starting point from The Bible and slavery, and throws these issues into the contemporary political frame hurtling up‐to‐date with late 60's Civil Rights. At this time, the Arkestra typically consisted of 20 to 30 musicians, dancers, singers, and fire‐eaters, combined with elaborate lighting effects and playing sets for 2-3 hours non‐stop. The Arkestra was a regular fixture around Philly, giving lectures and community workshops, drifting among the bookshelves of the city library, and performing at the closing party of the very last night of the Foxhole in October 1982. Rumors of increased UFO sightings over the Philadelphia airspace are unfounded, but one thing is certain: Sun Ra and the Arkestra will go down in the chapters of Philadelphia's rich jazz history, just as non‐earth‐dwellers will make pilgrimages to the human metropolis known as Philadelphia in light years to come. Comes with an insert featuring an unpublished photo and new liner notes by the Arkestra's Michael Anderson. Housed in a rigid, spot-varnished outer sleeve and pressed on 180 gram vinyl. Limited numbered edition of 1000 copies.

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	The Mike Huckaby Reel-To-Reel Edits Vol. 1
Label:	KS ART YARD SERIES (NETHERLANDS)
Format:	12"
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	KSAY MH01-EP

During afterhours, Mike Huckaby produces Sun Ra edits from a dancefloor perspective, using only a mixer and a reel-to-reel player. Now, some of his finest edits are released on The Mike Huckaby Reel To Reel Edits series, containing reworks of classic tracks from the Art Yard catalog which were previously-released on the collaborative series between Art Yard and Kindred Spirits. Housed in a full-color outersleeve including a silkscreen-printed plastic insert by L.A. designer Stephen Serrato. Limited quantities, so don't miss out!

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	The Mike Huckaby Reel-To-Reel Edits Vol. 2
Label:	KS ART YARD SERIES (NETHERLANDS)
Format:	12"
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	KSAY MH02-EP

Detroit's Mike Huckaby returns on Kindred Spirits with the second volume of Sun Ra edits. Renowned for his DJ sets, edits and productions, he was the perfect choice for re-working highlights of the Sun Ra catalog. The A-side features "Friendly Galaxy" and the flip contains a beautiful stretched-out version of the classic cut "Space Is The Place," accompanied by "To Nature's God" from Nidhamu/Dark Mythic Equation, originally released on Art Yard records. Includes exclusive artwork by Stephen Serrato and a silk-screen printed plastic insert. On red vinyl.

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Of Mythic Worlds
Label:	PHILLY JAZZ
Format:	LP
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	PJ 1007HLP

180g vinyl edition. Exact repro of this 1980 album, the second Sun Ra album to be released on Philly Jazz following Lanquidity. Undated live recording, not previously reissued on either LP or CD! "Sun Ra's music is equational. It is based on a system and philosophy as old as the most ancient of civilizations, and it points the way of the future as well. Music is not seen as merely entertainment. Ra has oftentimes mentioned the potentials of music to change the social order. In fact, the highlight of many of his performances is his self-conceived cosmodrama which is essentially a dramatic monologue by Sun Ra in which he outlines the paths toward omniversal perfection. The Arkestra itself becomes the musical foil for Pharonic wisdom and cosmic insight." --Spencer R. Weston

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Of Mythic Worlds
Label:	PHILLY JAZZ
Format:	LP
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	PJ 1007LP

Exact repro of this 1980 album, the second Sun Ra album to be released on Philly Jazz following Lanquidity. Undated live recording, not previously reissued on either LP or CD! "Sun Ra's music is equational. It is based on a system and philosophy as old as the most ancient of civilizations, and it points the way of the future as well. Music is not seen as merely entertainment. Ra has oftentimes mentioned the potentials of music to change the social order. In fact, the highlight of many of his performances is his self-conceived cosmodrama which is essentially a dramatic monologue by Sun Ra in which he outlines the paths toward omniversal perfection. The Arkestra itself becomes the musical foil for Pharonic wisdom and cosmic insight." --Spencer R. Weston

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Lanquidity
Label:	PHILLY JAZZ
Format:	LP
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	PJ 666LP

Tracklisting: Lanquidity, Where Pathways Meet, That's How I Feel, Twin Stars of Thence, There are other Worlds (They have not Told You of). Recorded at Blank Tapes Studio, New York, 7/17/1978. "The album was originally on the 'micro-label' Philly Jazz, owned by a Philadelphia recording engineer who knew Sun Ra from his live performances on University of Pennsylvania's WXPN. The album has become a much in demand rarity among the ranks of acid jazz DJs throughout the world."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Space Is The Place
Label:	SUTRO PARK
Format:	2LP
Price:	$25.00
Catalog #:	SP 1004LP

"The soundtrack to the legendary Space Is The Place movie featuring some of Sun Ra's most adventurous and uncompromising compositions ever: vocal chants, harsh synthesizer and organ blasts along with film dialogue, heavy percussion and just all around weirdness. Featuring front cover design by Curtis Schreier (a founding member of the Ant Farm art collective). An amazing, and important piece from the extensive Sun Ra catalog and a must have for Sun Ra and avant-garde cinema collectors alike." 180 gram vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve.

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Outer Space Employment Agency
Label:	TOTAL ENERGY
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.50
Catalog #:	NER 3021CD

"Sun Ra's appearances at the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festivals of the early 70s are legendary. His explosive avant-jazz Arkestra hit the stage in a riot of color and sound that made a cosmic connection with his first major American festival audience and won him a whole new following. The 1973 Festival featured Sun Ra's Intergalactic Discipline Arkestra in a program of new material and tested compositions. Organized into a spell-binding suite, the show was punctuated by soloists John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, Aktal Ebah, Eloe Omoe, and the Space Ethnic Voices. Released for the first time by Total Energy Records, and produced by John Sinclair, the album is remastered from the original tapes and features unpublished photos from the show by Leni Sinclair, as well as comprehensive liner notes. This is the classic Sun Ra Arkestra at its peak of artistry and invention."

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	United World In Outer Space
Label:	VINYL LOVERS (RUSSIAN FEDERATION)
Format:	LP
Price:	$24.00
Catalog #:	VL 900588LP

"Decades before his time, political and musical revolutionary, Sun Ra, developed a new plane of cultural existence where black people were all-powerful beings from outer space, sending their intergalactic message through jazz music. Recorded live in 1975 at Cleveland's legendary jazz club, the Smiling Dog Saloon, when Sun Ra and his Arkestra descended on the city for a week-long residency. You can imagine how the uninitiated's jaw must have dropped when Ra and his 15 musicians marched out onto the stage decked in glittery space costumes, playing percussion instruments and chanting. This high quality live performance is top-shelf Ra playing a kind of spaced out world music with hints of disco. Ra sings, plays the Moog, piano and organ, while everyone else plays alternately some kind of percussion or reed instrument, sings, dances, and claps hands. Check out his other-worldly version of Duke Ellington's 'Sophisticated Lady', featuring John Gilmore on sax, and his extended Moog solo!"

Artist:	SUN RA
Title:	Piano Recital (Teatro La Fenice In Venice)
Label:	VINYL LOVERS (RUSSIAN FEDERATION)
Format:	LP
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	VL 901066LP

"Sun Ra was an extremely prolific artist and while hundreds of recordings exist of Sun Ra, there are only a handful where he can be heard playing solo. This amazing and rare solo performance recorded live in 1977 at the world-famous La Fenice opera house in Venice, and featuring Sun Ra playing a mix of standards as well as his own material on piano, is a rewarding journey into the repertoire of one of the most controversial and unorthodox musicians in the history of jazz."

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