Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: Strut rings in the holiday season with a special reissue of The Qualities' rare 1961 single 'It's Christmas Time' b/w 'Happy New Year To You!', originally released on Sun Ra's Saturn label. This mysterious vocal harmony group, guided by the visionary Sun Ra, captures a unique moment in music history. Likely recorded around 1956, the festive tracks showcase Sun Ra's influence, blending jazz and harmony group experimentation. Remastered and restored, this exclusive 7" features a new picture sleeve designed by Liam Large, making it a collector's item that celebrates both the holidays and Sun Ra's boundary-pushing legacy.

Review: Stray Voltage is not for the faint of ear. This is triple-A rated Sun Ra at their best, namely audacious, aggressive and adventurous. Forget melodies or sing-along hooks-this collection dives deep into Sun Ra's unissued electronic explorations from the 70s and 80s when, using synths and keyboards as his tools, the one and only 'Ra didn't just play, he assaulted, provoked, and moulded raw sound into wild and unimaginable sonic landscapes. These are not songs in the traditional sense, but abstract journeys full of texture and tension that make for a thrilling glimpse into Ra's boundary-pushing experiments where structure gives way to sensation and the sheer power of cosmic expression.

Review: Sun Ra's 1971 U.C. Berkeley lecture, "The Black Man in the Cosmos," has been officially released for the first time, revealing a previously unknown half-hour of cosmic insight from the visionary musician. In this newly unearthed session, Ra guides his students through thought-provoking ideas, underscored by the sound of chalk on the board, creating an almost meditative atmosphere. His soft-spoken yet powerful delivery touches on themes of space, existence, and identity. The lecture closes with two rare musical performancesia serene piano rendition of 'Love In Outer Space' and an electrifying 16-minute Moog synthesizer solo. These performances capture the boundless creativity that defined Ra's work during this pivotal time in his career. The audio, sourced from the Creative Audio Archive, has been carefully restored and transferred by Todd Carter, with Alex Inglizian handling the mastering. The release includes images of the original tape box and reel, featuring Ra's handwritten notes. Produced by John Corbett and packaged with care, this CD offers a rare glimpse into both the intellectual and musical genius of Sun Ra during a defining era of his artistic journey.

Review: This live album offers a thrilling snapshot of Sun Ra and his Myth Science Cosmo Swing Arkestra in their prime, captured at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore in 1978. Featuring a blend of space age jazz, avant-garde improvisation and genre-defying energy, the performance showcases the group's unique sound, from interpretations of jazz standards to electrifying avant-garde explorations. The two-CD set brings together powerful moments of musical transcendence, including the deep grooves of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and 'Lady Bird', alongside experimental pieces like 'Thunder of Drums'. The album is a rich sonic journey, enhanced by the vibrant visuals from filmmaker Robert Mugge, who also contributed bonus tracks from his 1980 film. A strong sense of communal energy permeates the music, with Sun Ra's expansive vision guiding the Arkestra through complex rhythms and free-flowing improvisation. The set's deluxe packaging includes insightful essays and reflections, making it a great package to have to understand the full impact of Sun Ra's groundbreaking artistry.

Review: Having first made this Sun Ra reissue available in limited quantities for Record Store Day 2016, Org Music has decided to give it a full release. Spaceways showcased material that the spiritual jazz pioneer recorded with his "arkestra" in 1966 and '68, most of which eventually saw the light of day on El Saturn Records in 1974. Given that copies of that particular release are nigh on impossible to find, this reissue is more than welcome. It's as spacey, intergalactic and out there as you'd expect, with the ten-minute "Outerspace Incorporated" - all extended drum solos, cacophonous hand percussion and trippy horn motifs - and groovy "We Travel The Spaceways" being particularly potent.

Review: A recently uncovered live solo piano performance from the late 70s and an intimate glimpse into this most cosmic of artist's boundless creativity. Initially mislabeled as a 1979 Carnegie Hall recording, the tapeidiscovered by an archivisticontained 11 pieces, some familiar, others more elusive. However, historical discrepancies in known setlists and concert durations led to further research, ultimately identifying the recording as an unreleased 1977 performance at a downtown New York jazz cafe. The music captures an artist fully immersed in spontaneous exploration, shifting effortlessly between blues, gospel and avant-garde phrasing. There are joyous excursions through tradition, contrasted with strikingly forward-thinking passages that stretch harmonic boundaries. Swing-era standards take on new life, infused with rhythmic playfulness and unexpected melodic turns. Certain moments drift into meditative contemplation, while others erupt into exuberant, free-flowing improvisation. The interplay of structure and spontaneity remains a defining feature throughout, reinforcing the pianist's ability to bridge past and future in a way few could. Four additional solo pieces, sourced from a separate but contemporaneous rehearsal tape, further enrich the collection. Originally captured during a session with a drummerilikely a longtime collaboratorithese tracks were recorded during a brief interlude when the percussionist stepped away, leaving the pianist to vamp freely. These passages, while exploratory, align seamlessly with the spirit of the primary recording, reinforcing a sense of continuity. Decades later, this rediscovered performance remains as vibrant and unpredictable as the day it was played.

Review: Strut Records' release of Inside the Light World: Sun Ra Meets the OVC unveils hidden gems from the legendary Sun Ra's repertoire. Recorded in 1986 at Mission Control studios, these tracks, originally spontaneous and never intended for formal release, offer a glimpse into Sun Ra's cosmic genius. The OVC, or Outer Space Visual Communicator, adds a unique dimension to the music, casting kaleidoscopic patterns onto a suspended screen above the performers. Developed by technological innovator Bill Sebastian, the OVC creates a keyboard-driven light show that enhances Sun Ra's already mesmerising performances. Thanks to Sebastian and Irwin Chusid's efforts, along with mix engineers Sean Slade and Brother Cleve, the session tapes were restored and pieced together, resulting in one of Sun Ra's finest releases. Sebastian's personal connection to Sun Ra's music, stemming from a transformative live show experience in the early 1970s, adds depth to the album's narrative. This CD package includes extensive liner notes and an insightful interview with Sebastian, offering fans a comprehensive look into this captivating collaboration. Inside the Light World is a release you need to check whether you are a fan or new to his work.

Review: Sun Ra's musical legacy is a many-sided dice, but if there's one unanimous entry point into his astral adventure it is surely Space Is The Place. Originally transmitted to earth in 1973, this landmark record bursts with life from the opening strains of the title track in all its 20-plus-minute glory. It's no surprise it's come up for a repress via Verve's By Request series, given how essential it is to anyone's understanding of jazz at its most bold and brilliant. This is a record which transcends most typical definitions, breaking down barriers and showing what's possible if we just dare to dream.

Review: Strut's 2024 reissue of Sun Ra's Lanquidity, an iconic 1978 release, celebrated for its fusion of cosmic jazz and avant-garde experimentation. Recorded in a single night at Bob Blank's studio, the album shows off the rich Arkestra's blend of sound with eight horns, four percussionists, and electric guitars.'There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of)' stands out as a hypnotic, dream-like piece that subverts traditional forms with its blend of ambient and vibrant passages. The album is a standout in Ra's extensive catalog for its fusion-inspired, freeform approach. The single LP version includes five tracks, akin to the original. Starting with the smooth, cosmic exploration of 'Lanquidity,' is like a celestial mapping akin to an Ancient Egyptian stargazing ceremony. 'Where Pathways Meet' follows with a funky, march-like rhythm reminiscent of a Pharaoh's pep-talk, showcasing Ra's unique fusion of Egyptian motifs and jazz. The groove deepens with 'That's How I Feel,' featuring reflective trumpet lines and intricate solos. 'Twin Stars Of Thence' highlights Richard Williams' celebrated bass with its funky, elastic rhythm. The album closes with the haunting 'There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of),' a piece steeped in space music that poet Mama Nzinga likened to a journey through the essence of light and deep space.

Review: Light on a Satellite brings Sun Ra's music to the present as it is music played by his Arkestra over 30 years after the legendary band's founder's passing. Directed by NEA Jazz Master Marshall Allen who celebrated his 100th birthday in May 2024, the Arkestra continues to carry Sun Ra's cosmic legacy in a record made at New York's Power Station. The album highlights Allen's expertise as a multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and arranger with 24 musicians spanning four generations all helping to capture a vast, evolving jazz sound that pays tribute to Allen's remarkable life and Sun Ra's enduring influence on music and culture.