Jazz by Sun Ra


Jazz By Sun Ra is the debut album by Sun Ra. The record label for the first pressing says "07-12-56", presumably when it was recorded. The LP originally appeared on Tom [Wilson (producer)|Tom Wilson]'s short-lived Transition Records. In the mid-1960s it was purchased by Delmark Records owner Bob Koester, finally being reissued in 1967.
When originally released, it came with an extensive booklet featuring words and photos of Sun Ra and his The Sun [Ra Arkestra|Arkestra]. The LP featured original compositions by Sun Ra along with one by Arkestral bassist Richard Evans. Another composition by Arkestra member Julian Priester has been included in reissues from the session, and additional unreleased tracks are known to survive. The single non-Arkestral composition was Possession, by Harry Revel, which had been written for Les Baxter's album Perfume Set to Music; Possession was arranged for the Arkestra by the Texan pianist and composer Prince Shell.
Earlier home recordings by Ra, including one dating from 1948 or 1949, were released with tracks from 1973 on the album Deep Purple.

Track listing

When reissued on Compact Disc in 1991, "Swing a Little Taste" was added. This was originally released on the Transition sampler Jazz in Transition alongside tracks by artists such as Cecil Taylor, Donald Byrd and John Coltrane.

CD version

  1. "Brainville" 4:29
  2. "Call for all Demons" 4:30
  3. "Transition" 3:40
  4. "Possession" 5:00
  5. "Street Named Hell" 3:55
  6. "Lullaby for Realville" 4:40
  7. "Future" 3:15
  8. "Swing a Little Taste" 4:25
  9. "New Horizons" 3:05
  10. "Fall off the Log" 4:00
  11. "Sun Song" 3:40

Musicians

Source:
Recorded Universal Recording, Chicago, July 12, 1956

External sources

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