Sun Ra

clutnuckle · 04-16-2010, 11:17 PM

Atlantis is pretty cool. I've yet to make up my mind on it really as a whole, though. Very nice rhythms throughout, I can say.

Strings · 04-22-2010, 01:05 PM

1) This is the best Sun Ra biography out there: Space Is The Place: The Lives And Times Of Sun Ra by John F. Szwed. He has taught at Yale, so I think hes trusty. I personally enjoyed it and it gives a great deal of insight into each and every recording of Ra's.

2) Lots of Ra's pressings were unmarked, released under different names, given different covers, etc. There is very little consistency, besides big releases besides Space is the Place.

3) Space is the Place is a great movie and I suggest you find it! I got the torrent off Demonoid personally.

4) Sun Ra didn't do drugs and was vehemently opposed to them and became angry with any Arkestra memebers who did.

5) The Arkestra still tours under the direction of a longtime member. I would KILL to see them! Unfortunately for me, they're in Europe and the east coast mostly.

6) I don't know how many of you are familiar with Amoeba Records, but I recently found a 26 CD set of the Arkestra that was recorded over 4 days at a Jazz Festival. You heard me, 26 CDs! I haven't listened to it yet, but I imagine it'll be INSANE.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 10-14-2010, 03:03 AM

Did a search, and apparently there isn't a world of topics on this man. That wholly shocks me because he's one of the most important under-appreciated figures in music, imo.

Essentially, starting int he late 40s(with a career that spans into the very very early 90s, almost to the point where he died in 1993) almost from start he was one of the first artists ever to have his own DIY record label. Printing and releasing a large body of material by hand, with his band, and distributing it himself. A massive experimenter, and basically the first man to bring electronic synth to jazz.

From my understanding, universally considered a landmark figure in Avant Garde, and Jazz. An amazingly free thinking eccentric poet who brought themes and ideologies to jazz, and black culture in general, that were unheard of before.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 10-15-2010, 11:10 PM

...nobody?

dankrsta · 10-19-2010, 04:13 PM

Still finding my way through his enormous discography. I've only listened a few albums and so far The Magic City was the most challenging listen for me. But Sun Ra Visits Planet Earth and Interstellar Low Ways clicked right away. I also really like Atlantis and the epic, intense title track.

Another favorite from that album
Yucatan (Saturn version) What the hell, I'll post both versions

I like this version of Rocket Number Nine from Space Is the Place, although quite different from the one in Interstellar Low Ways, but just as good.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 10-19-2010, 07:13 PM

Magic City is a favorite of mine. I also really like both volumes of the Heliocentric world of Sun Ra. (The first of which probably being his most "out there" work.)

However, if Magic City isn't your thing you should try Lanquidity. Has a few more accessible pieces without foresaking the aspects that set Sun Ra apart from most Jazz. Especially the final track "There Are Other Worlds" which I personally think is just plain a gorgeous song.

dankrsta · 10-20-2010, 12:52 PM

Actually those 'aspects that set Sun Ra apart from most Jazz' are what drew me to his music in the first place. I've heard Magic City today again and I must say that the incredibly long title track manages to keep my attention for the most part, but then I have trouble listening to other tracks. I think what is hard for me to get into is the jamming mentality of free jazz as opposed to improvisations that are, as they say, 'spontaneously or loosely composed', like in avant-garde music. Maybe I should listen to more jazz to get a feel of its mentality.

Anyway thanks for a suggestion. Judging from the track you posted I think I'm gonna like Lanquidity. And I'm definitely checking out Heliocentric world of Sun Ra. I'm curious to hear what is 'his most "out there" work'.

Tor_Hershman · 10-29-2010, 08:35 PM

Got a DVD, @ the public library, on Sun Ra.
It was most entertaining.

otocinclus · 12-03-2010, 06:52 PM

I really want to get into Sun Ra. I have Space is the Place, but what album is best to buy next?

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 12-03-2010, 07:23 PM

Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra: Volume One. If it's too much, Lanquidity. Magic City is another one that I'm very big on. Listened to Aurora Borealis also a few days ago, and it's a really good one if you want to try something piano-focused.

10-14-2010, 03:03 AM	#63 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	Sun Ra Did a search, and apparently there isn't a world of topics on this man. That wholly shocks me because he's one of the most important under-appreciated figures in music, imo. Essentially, starting int he late 40s(with a career that spans into the very very early 90s, almost to the point where he died in 1993) almost from start he was one of the first artists ever to have his own DIY record label. Printing and releasing a large body of material by hand, with his band, and distributing it himself. A massive experimenter, and basically the first man to bring electronic synth to jazz. From my understanding, universally considered a landmark figure in Avant Garde, and Jazz. An amazingly free thinking eccentric poet who brought themes and ideologies to jazz, and black culture in general, that were unheard of before. Last edited by Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra; 10-15-2010 at 05:07 PM.

10-19-2010, 04:13 PM	#65 (permalink)
dankrsta ... Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,776	Still finding my way through his enormous discography. I've only listened a few albums and so far The Magic City was the most challenging listen for me. But Sun Ra Visits Planet Earth and Interstellar Low Ways clicked right away. I also really like Atlantis and the epic, intense title track. Another favorite from that album Yucatan (Saturn version) What the hell, I'll post both versions I like this version of Rocket Number Nine from Space Is the Place, although quite different from the one in Interstellar Low Ways, but just as good. __________________ Last.fm

10-20-2010, 12:52 PM	#67 (permalink)
dankrsta ... Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,776	Actually those 'aspects that set Sun Ra apart from most Jazz' are what drew me to his music in the first place. I've heard Magic City today again and I must say that the incredibly long title track manages to keep my attention for the most part, but then I have trouble listening to other tracks. I think what is hard for me to get into is the jamming mentality of free jazz as opposed to improvisations that are, as they say, 'spontaneously or loosely composed', like in avant-garde music. Maybe I should listen to more jazz to get a feel of its mentality. Anyway thanks for a suggestion. Judging from the track you posted I think I'm gonna like Lanquidity. And I'm definitely checking out Heliocentric world of Sun Ra. I'm curious to hear what is 'his most "out there" work'. __________________ Last.fm

10-29-2010, 08:35 PM	#68 (permalink)
Tor_Hershman Groupie Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 20	Got a DVD, @ the public library, on Sun Ra. It was most entertaining. __________________ Advertizing removed by moderator What advertizing? It was ONLY a link to my Blogspot blog and moi ain't sellin' a thing there.

04-16-2010, 11:17 PM	#61 (permalink)
clutnuckle Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: -_-_-_-_~__~-~_-`_`-~_-`-~-~ Posts: 1,276	Atlantis is pretty cool. I've yet to make up my mind on it really as a whole, though. Very nice rhythms throughout, I can say.

04-22-2010, 01:05 PM	#62 (permalink)
Strings Groupie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5	1) This is the best Sun Ra biography out there: Space Is The Place: The Lives And Times Of Sun Ra by John F. Szwed. He has taught at Yale, so I think hes trusty. I personally enjoyed it and it gives a great deal of insight into each and every recording of Ra's. 2) Lots of Ra's pressings were unmarked, released under different names, given different covers, etc. There is very little consistency, besides big releases besides Space is the Place. 3) Space is the Place is a great movie and I suggest you find it! I got the torrent off Demonoid personally. 4) Sun Ra didn't do drugs and was vehemently opposed to them and became angry with any Arkestra memebers who did. 5) The Arkestra still tours under the direction of a longtime member. I would KILL to see them! Unfortunately for me, they're in Europe and the east coast mostly. 6) I don't know how many of you are familiar with Amoeba Records, but I recently found a 26 CD set of the Arkestra that was recorded over 4 days at a Jazz Festival. You heard me, 26 CDs! I haven't listened to it yet, but I imagine it'll be INSANE.

10-15-2010, 11:10 PM	#64 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	...nobody?

10-19-2010, 07:13 PM	#66 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	Magic City is a favorite of mine. I also really like both volumes of the Heliocentric world of Sun Ra. (The first of which probably being his most "out there" work.) However, if Magic City isn't your thing you should try Lanquidity. Has a few more accessible pieces without foresaking the aspects that set Sun Ra apart from most Jazz. Especially the final track "There Are Other Worlds" which I personally think is just plain a gorgeous song.

12-03-2010, 06:52 PM	#69 (permalink)
otocinclus Groupie Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 10	I really want to get into Sun Ra. I have Space is the Place, but what album is best to buy next?

12-03-2010, 07:23 PM	#70 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra: Volume One. If it's too much, Lanquidity. Magic City is another one that I'm very big on. Listened to Aurora Borealis also a few days ago, and it's a really good one if you want to try something piano-focused.