Sun Ra: Saturn's celestial guardian

Post everything Sun Ra here; love, outright hate, spam, whatever takes your fancy. One of the most consistent cat's in the game. Not many artist (imo) have released such a string of solid albums over so many years. 

One of my favorite artists of all time, I have reviews up for "Atlantis" and "Angels and Demons' , two incredible albums.

js wrote: One of my favorite artists of all time, I have reviews up for "Atlantis" and "Angels and Demons' , two incredible albums.

the later was my first Ra vinyl acquisition, these days finding itself quickening towards but a static haze. I'll mosey on over to your reviews in a sec, the morning coffee awaits some light reading.

SaltyJon wrote: Katje wrote: Sticking with the more far out experiences I'd go for: - The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra (both volumes, especially the first) You know there's a third volume released now?  I haven't heard any of the volumes yet (though I want to), there's a box set edition which comes with all three I've had my eye on for a little while.

That I did not, I've a tendency to display a certain amount of negligence when it comes to keeping up to date. Any links for that box?

Hit me with some newbie recommendations, I've never heard any of his stuff but I'm interested.

I should love him more than I actually do. The only really brilliant album of his that I've heard s far i Concert for the Comet Kohoutek.

I only have Jazz In Silhouette but Ive heard Atlantis before (but only once, like 3 years ago...). What's a good one to get?

Catcher10 wrote: Did he ever collaborate with Miles Davis?

Katje wrote: Pekka wrote: Hit me with some newbie recommendations, I've never heard any of his stuff but I'm interested. Considering your avvy I'd hit up Lanquidity ('78), fusion-ish with some killer funky breaks. Checkout the track 'where pathways meet' for a primer (I assume it will be on youtube - which I cannot access).

darkshade wrote: I only have Jazz In Silhouette but Ive heard Atlantis before (but only once, like 3 years ago...). What's a good one to get?

Did you like these? Something from a similar era as Jazz in Silhouette is Angels and Demons at play. I've not got a gauge of many peoples taste here yet; probably should look at your reviews before posting. He has a pretty broad discography, so it is sometimes hard what to recommend, especially if one isn't too keen on more avant-garde kinds of jazz. 

Noak2 wrote: I should love him more than I actually do. The only really brilliant album of his that I've heard s far i Concert for the Comet Kohoutek.

For me my interest in Sun Ra is build upon the consistency of his vision. If I'm being honest with myself (which I'm often not ) there are not many standout masterpieces within the breath of his work like other jazz greats (if, indeed he is considered as such) like Coltrane, Davis, Mingus, et cetera. He had a quite definite vision on what he saw to be creation and built-up a group of people (his Arkestra in many forms) with like minded thoughts, so in this way it was collective being (if were to look at it from a spiritual slant), and in the process of these continuous experiments they managed to release of string of top-notch albums over 30 odd years which stayed true to their modes of thought. While this is not my doctrine upon anyone I've always approached a Sun Ra album a little differently than I would most artist.  

js wrote: Atlantis is really bizarre, I like it a lot, but its unique to say the least.

That it is, especially the titled track. I think it incited next doors cat to malt, or maybe it was just a coincidence...