SUN RA - The Definitive Singles Volume 1: The Definitive 45s Collection 1952-1961 (Repress) - 3LP - Gatefold Vinyl

3LP - Black Vinyl Repress.

Strut present the definitive collection of singles released by Sun Ra across his illustrious career, spanning 1952 to 1991. Released prolifically during the 1950s and more sporadically thereafter, primarily on the Saturn label, the 45s offer one-off meteorites from Ra’s prolific cosmic journey, tracing the development of his forward-thinking Space-Bop and his unique take on jazz and blues traditions. The collection is hugely varied, ranging from Ra’s spoken word recitations and his early work with Chicago vocal groups to the different phases of his Arkestra, small group and duet recordings. The singles are also unpredictable vehicles for Ra’s music, combining different tracks from different sessions and occasionally making available music which was recorded many years beforehand. As with his LPs, most 45s were only pressed in small runs and have since become extremely rare and sought after.

Only a small handful of copies of Love In Outer Space b/w Mayan Temple and The Blue One b/w Orbitration In Blue have ever been seen; some have only been discovered in physical form in recent years; some were planned and pencilled but allegedly never made it to vinyl (including Saturn and Velvet from the Jazz In Silhouette LP) and some appeared as limited one-off magazine singles and posthumous releases, including Hell #1 aka Out There A Minute.

The set is the most comprehensive collection of Ra’s singles to date. Sleeve note writers Francis Gooding and Paul Griffiths brilliantly illustrate the role of the single within Ra’s career and break down each release with detailed track by track notes. Working with Sun Ra LLC and Sun Ra archivist Michael D. Anderson, Strut has also assembled the best possible master sources for each track.

Singles features fully remastered tracks, rare photos, original 45 artwork, Francis Gooding’s extensive sleeve notes, an interview with Saturn Records founder Alton Abraham by John Corbett and detailed track by track and session notes by Paul Griffiths. First definitive collection of Sun Ra singles, including all Saturn releases, planned singles, posthumous releases and magazine giveaways. Remastered by Technology Works including exclusive tape transfers from the Sun Ra archive.

Tracklist:

A1. Sun Ra - I Am An Instrument
A2. Sun Ra - I Am Strange
A3. The Nu Sounds With Sun Ra - Chicago Usa
A4. The Nu Sounds With Sun Ra - Spaceship Lullaby
A5. The Cosmic Rays With Sun Ra & Arkestra* - Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie
A6. The Nu Sounds With Sun Ra & Arkestra* - A Foggy Day
A7. Billie Hawkins With Sun-Ra & His Orchestra* - I'm Coming Home
A8. Billie Hawkins With Sun-Ra & His Orchestra* - Last Call For Love

B1. Sun-Ra & His Orchestra* - Soft Talk
B2. Sun-Ra & His Orchestra* - Super Blonde
B3. Le Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Saturn
B4. Le Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Call For All Demons
B5. Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Demon's Lullaby
B6. Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Supersonic Jazz

C1. Le Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Medicine For A Nightmare
C2. Le Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Urnack
C3. The Qualities - It's Christmas Time
C4. The Qualities - Happy New Year To You!
C5. Yochanan, The Space Age Vocalist - M Uck M Uck (Matt Matt)
C6. Yochanan, The Space Age Vocalist - Hot Skillet Moma

D1. Sun Ra & His Arkestra* & The Cosmic Rays - Bye Bye
D2. Sun Ra & His Arkestra* & The Cosmic Rays - Somebody's In Love
D3. The Cosmic Rays With Sun Ra & Arkestra* - Dreaming
D4. Sun Ra & The Cosmic Rays - Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie
D5. Sun Ra & His Astro Infinity Arkestra* - October

E1. Sun Ra & His Astro Infinity Arkestra* - Adventure In Space
E2. Sun Ra & His Arkestra* & The Cosmic Rays - Hours After
E3. Sun Ra & His Arkestra* & The Cosmic Rays - Great Balls Of Fire
E4. Hattye Randolph* With Sun Ra & His Astro Infinity Arkestra* - Round Midnight
E5. Hattye Randolph* With Sun Ra & His Astro Infinity Arkestra* - Back In Your Own Back Yard

F1. Le Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Saturn
F2. Le Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Velvet
F3. Yochanan With Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - The Sun One
F4. Yochanan With Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - Message To Earthman
F5. Yochanan With Sun Ra & His Arkestra* - The Sun Man Speaks