Sun Ra-The Singles CD 1996-evidence-USA-ECD221642 CD

Music : Jazz : Lossless
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Sun Ra-The Singles CD 1996-evidence-USA-ECD221642


The Singles [Disc 1]
A Foggy Day.aif
Adventure In Space.aif
Bye Bye.aif
Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie [Demo Version].aif
Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie [Studio Version].aif
Dreaming.aif
Great Balls Of Fire.aif
Happy New Year To You.aif
Hot Skillet Mama.aif
Hours After.aif
I'm So Glad You Love Me.aif
It's Christmas Time.aif
Medicine For A Nightmare [Alternate Take].aif
Message To Earthman [Alternate Take].aif
Message To Earthman.aif
Muck Muck (Matt Matt).aif
October.aif
Saturn.aif
Sombody's In Love.aif
State Street.aif
Supersonic Jazz.aif
Teenager's Letter Of Promises.aif
The Sun Man Speaks [Alternate Take].aif
The Sun Man Speaks.aif
The Sun One.aif


The Singles [Disc 2]
Big City Blues.aif
Blues On Planet Mars.aif
Cosmo-Extensions.aif
Disco 2100.aif
Enlightenment.aif
I Am Gonna Unmask The Batman.aif
I Want An Easy Woman.aif
I'm Gonna Unmask The Batman.aif
I'm Making Believe.aif
Journey To Saturn.aif
Love In Outer Space.aif
Mayan Temple.aif
Outer Space Plateau.aif
Quest.aif
Rocket #9.aif
Rough House Blues.aif
Saturn Moon.aif
She's My Baby.aif
Sky Blues.aif
Tell Her To Come On Home.aif
The Blue Set.aif
The Bridge.aif
The Perfect Man.aif
The Sky Is Crying.aif




SUN RA
the singles (2 cd's)

ITEM NUMBER: 22164 RELEASE DATE: 09.24.96
LIST PRICE: $29.98








SUN RA
the singles (2 cd's)
This treasured collection, The Singles, took three years to produce, collecting virtually every 45 released by Sun Ra from 1954 through 1982. It is considered the holy grail for Sun Ra collectors. It was pieced together from the contributions of private collectors around the world, and sonically cleaned up far beyond the audio capabilities of the original vinyl they were pressed on. It also features a 36 page booklet, with liner notes written by four respected Ra experts, and contains historically significant photos.



Sun Ra Primary Artist
Fred Adams Trumpet
Luqman Ali Drums
Marshall Allen Alto Saxophone, Oboe, Vocals
Arkestra Track Performer, Vocals
Sam Bankhead Vocals
Calvin Barron Vocals
Robert Barry Drums, Percussion
Mickey Boss Tenor Saxophone
Ronnie Boykins Bass
Jothan Callins Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Vocals
William Cochran Drums
Danny Davis Alto Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Conga, Flute, Vocals
Akh Tal Ebah Trumpet
Richard Evans Bass
Alvin Fielder Drums
Bobby Fields Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
Lacy Gibson Electric Guitar, Track Performer, Vocals
John Gilmore Drums, Percussion, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals
Wilburn Green Electric Bass
Buddy Guy Rhythm Guitar
Jon Hardy Drums
Wayne Harris Trumpet
Ali Hassan Trombone
David Henderson Vocals
James Herndon Timbales, Timpani
Jim Herndon Timbales, Timpani
Tyrone Hill Trombone
Lynn Hollings Narrator, Vocals
Arthur Hoyle Trumpet
James Jacson Percussion, Vocals
Clifford Jarvis Drums, Percussion
Little Mack Track Performer, Vocals
Mobarak Mahmoud Recitation
Crumar Mainman Drums
Stanley Morgan Conga
Nu-Sounds Track Performer
Pat Patrick Baritone Saxophone, Percussion, Vocals
Julian Priester Trombone
Lucious Randolph Trumpet
Michael Ray Trumpet
Juanita Rogers Track Performer, Vocals
James Spaulding Alto Saxophone
Victor Sproles Bass
Walter Strickland Trumpet
C. Scoby Stroman Drums
Sun Ra Arkestra Vocals
Sam Fan Thomas Electric Guitar
Danny Ray Thompson Baritone Saxophone
Earl Turner Trumpet
June Tyson Vocals
Roland Williams Vocals
Yochanan Track Performer, Vocals
Alton Abraham Producer
Robert L. Campbell Liner Notes, Assistant Producer
Robert Pruter Liner Notes
Michael Shore Liner Notes
John F. Szwed Liner Notes
Alan Edwards Post Production Coordinator
Gregory Gerran Photography
Jerry Gordon compilation producer
Tommy Hunter Photography
R. Andrew Lepley Photography
Joan McAninch Audio Restoration, Pre-mastering
Alan Nahigian Photography
George Rothacker Design
Roger Seibel Audio Restoration, Pre-mastering
Spencer Weston Photography
Luigi Zanon Photography






Rating: Sun Ra - The Singles
[02.24.2008]
This astonishing collection features the oddest 45 rpms
ever. What the hell was Ra thinking when these singles
were originally issued ? Did he honestly think they would reach the national US charts with deranged tracks such as "Muck Muck", which even The Cramps would baulk at ? Whatever the reasons, they make thrilling listening especially "State Street" which captures Sun Ra and his Arkestra with a swing that Cannonball Adderley would have envied. The fact Ra did not bother to pursue this option when he obviously could, have makes this set all the more enigmatic. Fascinating music from a true original.
- Rob J
from Hertfordshire, England





Sun Ra Discography


The Singles

S1. The Cosmic Rays with Sun Ra
Saturn 9/1954 (1983)
A: Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie (Barron-Orio-Ra) (1:46)
The Cosmic Rays: Calvin Barron and three unidentified males-voc. Sounds like a rehearsal -- doesn't include all the lyrics from the S2 version. Some club, Chicago, 1955. Sun Ra does not play, though he may have been directing.
B: A Foggy Day in London Town (Gershwin-Gershwin)
The NuSounds: Roland Williams-voc; other vocalists unidentified. Sun Ra, p. A club on North Cliburn Street, Chicago, 1954 or 1955. The serial number implies 1954, but 1955 or 1956 is more likely, given Sun Ra and Gilmore's interviews with Corbett. [rlc and Gordon]
"I had two vocal groups at the same time. One was called the Cosmic Echoes... and the Cosmic Rays, too... I met the group through a friend. It was at the same time that John Gilmore joined the band. I saw the possibility that they could really be great. So I began to teach them, to coach them. They were connected with a barber shop -- but I taught them other things." [Ra, quoted by Corbett]
"All of them wound up tragically except for one. He [Calvin Barron] was the only one to last for a while, then he went through some tragic experiences in '88 or '89. But the rest of them -- they were wild, you know." [John Gilmore, quoted by Corbett]
The Roland Williams group (the NuSounds) would compete with the Barron group. They would both record the same songs and the better version would be used. (Other reports, however, deny that the NuSounds ever appeared on record.) There was also a third, instrumental group being coached by Ra at the time. [Gordon] Roland Williams' group started before the Rays. [Gilmore]

S2. The Cosmic Rays with Sun Ra and Arkestra
Saturn SR-401/SR-402 (1955; reissued 1983)
A: Dreaming (Barron-Orio-Ra) (2:29)
B: Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie (Barron-Orio-Ra) [studio version] (2:40)
The Cosmic Rays (Calvin Barron and 3 others)-voc; Ra-p; poss. Victor Sproles-b; prob. Robert Barry-d; Tito-cga. Professional studio recording, Chicago, 1955 or 1956 [rlc, tape from Webber; label copy from Michael Shore; info on Valmor from Pat Padua.
Lucious Randolph says Tito was in the Arkestra for less than a year, around 1956, and that the vocal groups were not working with Sun Ra any more by the time LR joined the Arkestra in Fall, 1956. For both sides, take 2 was used -- it is not known whether take 1 is still extant [Gordon].
Side B reissued in 1989 on Valmor 1369, Jook Block Busters #1.

S3. The Cosmic Rays
Saturn 222
A: Bye Bye
B: Somebody's in Love
The Cosmic Rays-voc; other personnel unknown. Chicago, 1955.
This one is listed in Goldmine's doowop reference book, with the impossible date of 1960. Does anyone have a copy?

S4. The Qualities
Saturn M08W4052/M08W4053
A: Happy New Year to You!
B: It's Christmastime
The Qualities: unidentified male vocal quartet. Sun Ra-harmonium; unknown-acoustic guitar; unknown-bells; unknown-wood blocks. Produced by Alton Abraham and Sun Ra. Chicago, probably 1956. [Thanks to Byron Coley for the tape and Glenn Jones for label information.]
Sun Ra is presumably on the harmonium-like instrument that appears at the end of Side A and plays in the background through Side B. This is sentimental doowop, not as well executed as the Cosmic Rays material (note the clumsy fake bass singing). The Ra's hand is definitely there: the clicks and pops made by the second percussionist on Side A are completely indeterminate. Anthony Braxton is threatening to use this record in a course on Sun Ra, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Hildegard of Bingen. [rlc]
According to John Gilmore, this was probably recorded at a rehearsal, hence the ad hoc instrumentation. Ra often rehearsed his vocal groups separately from the Arkestra. According to Szwed, this was made a year or so later than the Cosmic Rays 45s.
Jones says this is a 50s Saturn label, yellow with red print. The name is misspelled "Satur" in script on one side of the center hole. According to Gordon it was mastered at RCA Studios in Chicago; M08W4052 and M08W4053 were RCA mastering numbers. Tape box says "Happy New Year to Year."
Alton Abraham told John Corbett that Ra had still another doowop group called the Clockstoppers. They supposedly made one 45. The doowop releases were limited to a few sides for financial reasons.

S5. Sun Ra and his Arkestra
Saturn Z1111 (1956)
A: Super Blonde (Ra)
B: Soft Talk (Priester)
This is often said to be first Arkestra release [Gordon]. Hoyle recalls making "a couple" of 45s while he was in the band. The same tracks were later included in Super Sonic Jazz. See LP list for details.
Incorrectly identified as a 78 in Jazz Wereld, No. 19, Aug. 68; error picked up by Buzelin.

S6. Le Sun Ra
Saturn Z222 (1956)
(matrix numbers G70W5258 / G70W5261)
A: Medicine for a Nightmare (Ra)
B: Urnack (Julian Priester)
Same versions of these tunes as later appeared on Angels and Demons at Play. A 50s Saturn single with black print on gold and Saturn in block letters across the top. Label information courtesy of Glenn Jones. Some sources claim this was the first Arkestra release. [Szwed]
There is may be another single from this period with Saturn on one side. The title is mentioned in the 1963-1964 press release. It is sometimes said to have been paired with Urnack.

S7. Sun Ra
Saturn J08W0245/J08W0246 (prob. 1958)
A: Great Balls of Fire (Ra)
B: Hours After (E. J. Turner)
Personnel unknown. Recorded Chicago, 1958.
According to Gordon, master tapes still exist. Serial number from Raben. Great Ball of Fire was incorrectly listed in Geerken and Stahl as the first cut on Side A of the Saturn release of Jazz in Silhouette, based on a misreading of Raben's listing. It is not known whether Hours After is the same version that appeared on that album. Raben assumed it was but he obviously had not listened to either the single or the album (his list of album cuts is scrambled). Bill Fielder recalls Great Balls of Fire and says it was written by Sun Ra. No reference to Jerry Lee Lewis -- Ra was talking about comets and stars and such.
Does anyone have this?

S8. Yochannan
Saturn 4236/4237 (late 50s)
A: Muck Muck (Yochannan-Abraham-Ra)
B: Hot Skillet Mama (Yochannan-Abraham-Ra)
Produced by Yochannan, Sun Ra, and Alton Abraham. Sun Ra-p; poss. John Gilmore-ts; poss. Victor Sproles-b; poss. Robert Barry- d; Yochannan-voc. Recorded in Chicago, around 1956 or 1957. [Terry Adams, via Michael Shore; Glenn Jones supplied label copy; date and personnel help from Jerry Gordon.] Yochannan was a nightclub performer in Chicago (not a street singer as previously reported). This single sounds like Louis Jordan numbers interpreted by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Drummer has heavy rock hand. Tenor player does conventional R&B riffing, no solos. [rlc]
The original release has an early Saturn look, like the surviving singles from 1956 through the early 1960s. Block lettering for the Saturn logo, red print on gold. John Gilmore recalls Yochannan hanging around Sun Ra rehearsals, while the band was playing at Budland but after Jazz by Sun Ra.
Hattie Randolph also recalls Yochannan, and remembers this single.

S9. Yochannan with Sun Ra and his Arkestra
Saturn A1502M09W7841 / B1502M09W1165 (late 50s or early 60s)
Saturn 986 (reissue, 1968)
A: The Sun One (3:30) (Yochannan)
Ra-Hammond org; unknown-tp; Marshall Allen-as; John Gilmore-ts; Ronnie Boykins-b; unknown-d; Yochannan-voc. Chicago, around 1959. On the tape box this was called The Man Who Flew in from the Sun. On the reissue this was retitled The Sun Man Speaks and credited to Ra and Yochannan. It also included a 20-30 sec. spoken introduction that was edited out of the reissue. [Jones]
B: Message to Earthman (2:20) (McCarey-Yochannan-Ra)
Ra-Hammond org; unknown-tp; unknown-tb; Marshall Allen-as; John Gilmore-ts; Pat Patrick or Ronald Wilson-bs; Ronnie Boykins-b; unknown-d; Yochannan-voc. The reissue credits Yochannan-Ra. Chicago, around 1959. [rlc]
The original issue has Saturn in script down the side, like the single by The Qualities. Black lettering on gold. As with all early Saturn singles, the matrix numbers are stamped rather than scratched by hand. Pressing plant is Sheldon. [Jones]
Reissue single has an El Saturn label from Chicago. Has typical late 1960s type font, like that used on Continuation. [Gordon]

S10. Sun Ra and his Arkestra
Saturn 0114/0115
A: Space Loneliness (Ra)
B: State Street (Ra)
Personnel unidentified. Vuijsje says it was made at the same period as Supersonic Jazz. But he thinks The Blues [sic] Set and Big City Blues were too. Listed by Raben as coming from the same sessions as Side B of Angels and Demons, but his discog. is thoroughly confused here and includes Phil Cohran and Art Hoyle a though they were playing together. Cohran believes that Space Loneliness was a new composition in 1960....
Does anybody have a copy of this one?

S11. Sun Ra and his Astro-Infinity Arkestra
Saturn 874 (after 1967)
A: October (Ra) (4:30)
Ra-p; prob. Walter Strickland-tp; poss. Bo Bailey-tb; Marshall Allen-as; John Gilmore, ts; Pat Patrick-bs; Ronnie Boykins-b; poss. William Cochran-d. Around 1959, Chicago. Deliberately strange ballad (mooing pedal tones from baritone, tenor and trombone, under piano and trumpet melody statements, alternating with lusher scoring). The drummer is mostly keeping time on a ballad and recording quality is murky. Phil Cohran says he is not on this recording; his first guess is Walter Strickland. His second guess is Art Hoyle, which would really push the date back! Nate Pryor doesn't remember making anything like this. [rlc]
B: Adventure in Space (Ra) (2:00)
Ra-p; Jim Herndon-tympani; prob. Robert Barry-d; bells and scrapers by other Arkestrans. An excerpt from a longer performance, consisting of a percussive Latin piano solo. Chicago, prob. 1958-1959. Lucious Randolph confirms that Ra sometimes played like this in Chicago ("when he took a long solo, it was scrambled eggs") and believes the tympanist is JimHerndon. Drummer sounds like Robert Barry in his work with Herndon. [WKCR, confirmed by Gordon; personnel and dates rlc with help from LuciousRandolph; date and presence of Herndon supported by Gordon]
Chicago label (not a yellow label). Ihnfinity Inc.

S12. Sun Ra and his Arkestra
Saturn SA-1001 (1960)
(matrix numbers L09W0541/L09W0542)
A: The Blue Set (Ra)
Phil Cohran-tp; Marshall Allen-as; John Gilmore-ts; Ra-p; Ronnie Boykins-b; Jon Hardy, d. Chicago, 1960. Purposely old fashioned arrangement. Solos by Allen, Cohran, Ra, and Boykins.
B: Big City Blues (Ra)
Phil Cohran-tp; Marshall Allen-as; John Gilmore-ts; Ra-p; Ronnie Boykins-b; Jon Hardy-d. Chicago, 1960. Gospelly arrangement, a bit like Kingdom of Not -- but Hardy's rim-shots make handclapping unnecessary. Solos by Cohran, Allen, Gilmore and Ra. [rlc; thanks to Glenn Lea and Byron Coley for a tape.]
Phil Cohran says that both sides were made in 1960, though not at the Hall "seems to have been to contrast an old-fashioned blues with a new one -- we were doing a country blues and a city blues." Thus the style of The Blue Set is deliberately conservative: "...we were doing an interpretation." No wonder I mistook it for the Art Hoyle/ James Scales version of the Arkestra! [rlc]
An ear