By Jeff Brocklebank
Intimidated by Sun Ra’s immense, diverse and confusing discography? You are not alone. I don’t think there’s a definitive count of his albums, but there are well over 100 releases on all kinds of labels, big and small, as well as private presses. It’s also confusing how many different styles of music he covered over his 40-year recording career, and some albums include songs recorded in very different time periods and with different band lineups.
Intrigued by Sun Ra’s claim to be from Saturn, his songs about space travel, and his Arkestra’s elaborate costumes? Sun Ra was a brilliant man who read and studied voraciously on all kinds of topics, but particularly astronomy and astrology (it was the space age, after all), Egyptology, and numerology. He incorporated these studies into his music and life philosophy, and was always “in character.” Black people were treated so deplorably, particularly in the U.S., so they must be from another, better world. Why not Saturn?
Don’t know and/or care what “Afrofuturism” is or means? It doesn’t matter – neither did Sun Ra! That’s a term coined by some white dude in the 90s a few years after Sun Ra left the earth.
Fascinated by Sun Ra’s disparate fan base, and the many musicians/bands that have covered his music? His music has been covered by acts as diverse as NRBQ (“Rocket #9”), MC5 (“Starship”), Yo La Tengo (“Nuclear War”), and a then-16-year-old Derek Trucks (“Space is the Place”).
So where does one start with Sun Ra? I’ve been asked that a few times in recent years by a couple of friends, and once by a complete stranger in a record store lineup (I was wearing a Sun Ra t-shirt). The truth is that I’m far from an expert, and even had a difficult time getting started with Sun Ra. I first read about Sun Ra in the late 90s. I enjoyed what I heard of his music over the years, but never dug in much further. I was daunted by his discography and avoided it, even though I always felt like I wanted to learn more. It has only been in the last ten years that I’ve started to delve into Sun Ra’s music. I now have dozens of his albums, and while it’s still just the tip of the iceberg, I can share some suggested records that may be helpful starting points for a new listener ready to discover Sun Ra.
Jazz by Sun Ra from 1956
This is Sun Ra’s debut LP. I got this one a few years ago and find it to be very accessible with great tunes. It’s a really swinging album of Sun Ra’s early big band material.
The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra from 1962
This is mostly really accessible material and great performances. It was reissued last year on vinyl by Craft Recordings and remastered by Kevin Gray. It’s a beautiful sounding record and one of very few Sun Ra records to be of “audiophile” sound quality.
Space is the Place from 1972
This is a great Sun Ra album. It swings, there’s some weird abstract / free stuff, some strange synthesiser sounds, and one of his catchiest melodies and lyrics in the title track. There is also a film soundtrack album of the same name, which is also great, but features mostly abstract / free stuff. If you’re into the weird stuff, many of his early 70s albums will be of interest, though they may not be completely accessible to the average listener, and in some cases may make your dog or spouse leave the room (which itself can be useful…).
Lanquidity from 1978
This was one of the first Sun Ra albums I bought, and is frequently recommended to people who don’t know (or think they don’t like) Sun Ra’s music. It’s a great record that features the electric piano prominently and has a really rhythmic, jazz-funk vibe. The only problem is that, as a starter, it doesn’t necessarily work because it’s quite unlike most of the rest of his albums. I don’t think there’s an obvious next album to listen to if you enjoy Lanquidity. That being said…
Sleeping Beauty from 1979
Like Lanquidity, this album features more electric instruments than many of Sun Ra’s other records. It is less rhythmic, is quiet and almost ambient in parts, but is very beautiful.
Celestial Love from 1982
This one was reissued a couple of years ago, and I’ve really enjoyed it. It features several standards and vocal tunes, some really swinging stuff, with Sun Ra’s organ playing prominently on a few tunes. It is very straight-ahead for Sun Ra and catchy all the same.
Swirling from 2021
This was the Arkestra’s first album in many years, and it is fantastic! It includes a great mix of old Sun Ra material – vocal and instrumental, relatively well known and obscure. The title track is beautiful – it‘s a new composition by Marshall Allen, who has led the Arkestra for many years and was 96(!) when this came out. He just recently turned 99, and unfortunately is no longer touring consistently with the band. I think this album would work as a great introduction to Sun Ra and the Arkestra’s music.
And now some good cheats – compilations:
In the Orbit of Ra from 2014, compiled by Marshall Allen and “To Those of Earth… and Other Worlds” from 2015, compiled by Gilles Peterson (UK DJ, record label owner and music nerd) is a fantastic compilation that features music from across Sun Ra’s career, are really fun listens. It may be the best way to get started on Sun Ra. They really kick-started my love of his music. Before these compilations came out, I only had maybe a half dozen of his records.
Singles – The Definitive Collection Volumes 1 and 2 from 2016 is also a great compilation and feature mostly short – three or so minute – singles. The variety is vast – everything from swinging jazz, to doo-wop singing groups, to recitations. I prefer volume 2, as it has less of the early singing groups which don’t hold up to repeated listening for me.
Any of the above could make a good starting point for Sun Ra. Whether you try one of my suggestions, a steaming playlist, Bandcamp, or any other medium, do give his music a try. You’ll be glad you did – he has a very rewarding body of music once you give it a chance. I’m very excited to see Sun Ra Arkestra’s sold-out show at Performance Works on June 24th. I anticipate it being a highlight of what’s promising to be a great festival!
Editor’s note: This show is sold out.
