Sun Ra discography

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The Sun Ra discography is one of the largest discographies in music history.[1][2] Jazz keyboardist, bandleader and composer Sun Ra recorded dozens of singles and over one hundred full-length albums, comprising well over 1,000 songs, and making him one of the most prolific recording artists of the 20th century.[3]

History

[edit]

His own El Saturn Records albums were usually printed in editions of 75 copies per album, and were sold primarily at live performances. Many of Sun Ra's early albums were recorded at home by Ra himself on wire or early tape recorders, and are decidedly lo-fi. Despite the technological limitations, Ra used some innovative recording techniques, and these recordings provided an unprecedented level of documentation, and were inspirational in showing how artists could take control of production and distribution of their works.

Prior to the 1970s, most of these albums were produced in Chicago through the "El Saturn Records Research" enterprise established by Ra and his colleague Alton Abraham, while later El Saturn Records were produced in Philadelphia. A batch of the most significant recordings were licensed to Impulse! Records in the mid-1970s. They were not as successful as hoped, and were deleted from the Impulse catalog, becoming available around the world as inexpensive "cut-outs" and making the music more widely available.

Most El Saturn Records were hand-decorated by Arkestra members,[4] and these LP records sometimes sell for high prices among collectors. These El Saturn Records releases, dating from the 1950s to at least the late 1980s, typically had little or no information as to performers or recording dates, and sometimes didn't even list the songs on the album, often pressing one LP side from one era with another from a different decade, leading to some confusion among completists and fans.

After Sun Ra's death, many of his recordings were released on compact disc for the first time by Evidence Records, Ihnfinity Music, ESP Disk / ZYX Music, or Impulse!. As is the case with an artist whose output is so extensive, there is quite a bit of debate regarding his "best" albums. Of all these recordings, many critics and enthusiasts feel that the 1959 big band album Jazz in Silhouette is the best entry-point into his work,[5] with The Penguin Guide to Jazz naming the album as part of a recommended "Core Collection" for any serious jazz fan and as "one of the most important jazz records since World War II."[6]

Albums

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Studio albums

[edit]
Year Title Credited artist Label Date recorded Notes
1957 Jazz by Sun Ra Sun Ra and His Arkestra Transition 1956 AKA Sun Song
1957 Super-Sonic Jazz Le Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn SR-LP 0216 1956 AKA Super-Sonic Sounds
1959 Jazz in Silhouette Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn K7OP-3590 1959 reissued on as Saturn LP5786 in 1961
1962 The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra Savoy 1961 AKA We Are In the Future
1963 When Sun Comes Out Sun Ra and His Myth Science Arkestra El Saturn LP 2066 1962?
1965 Fate in a Pleasant Mood Sun Ra and His Myth-Science Arkestra Saturn Research LP-9956-2 1960
1965 Secrets of the Sun Sun Ra & His Solar Arkestra El Saturn 9954 1962
1965 Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra El Saturn LP No. 9956 1962 reissued El Saturn 404
1965 The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume One Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra ESP-Disk 1965
The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume Two 1965
1966 Visits Planet Earth Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra Saturn – LP No. 9956-11 1958
1966 When Angels Speak of Love Sun Ra and His Myth-Science Arkestra El Saturn LP 1966 1963
1966 Other Planes of There Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra El Saturn KH-98766 1964
1966 The Magic City Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra Saturn Research – LPB - 711 1965 (partially?) live; reissued on Thoth Intergalactic, 403, 1969
1967 Angels and Demons at Play Sun Ra and His Myth Science Arkestra El Saturn 407 1960 reissued by ABC/Impulse! in 1974
1967 Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy Sun Ra and His Myth Science Arkestra El Saturn 408 1963
1967 We Travel the Space Ways Sun Ra and His Myth Science Arkestra El Saturn LP #409 1961
1967 Interstellar Low Ways Sun Ra and His Myth Science Arkestra EL Saturn LP-203 1960 AKA Rocket Number Nine
1967 Strange Strings Sun Ra and His Astro-Infinity Arkestra Saturn Research – 502 1965
1968 Sound of Joy Sun Ra and the Arkestra Delmark 1956
1969 The Nubians of Plutonia Sun Ra and His Myth-Science Arkestra El Saturn 406 1959 Originally released The Lady with the Golden Stockings (Saturn, SR 9956-11E/F, 1966); Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra on LP label
1970 Atlantis Sun Ra and His Astro-Infinity Arkestra Saturn Research ESR507 1967–1969 reissued by ABC/Impulse! in 1973
1970 Holiday for Soul Dance Sun Ra and His Astro-Infinity Arkestra Saturn Research ESR-508 1960 live
1973? Monorails and Satellites Sun Ra Saturn Research SR-509 1966
1970 Sound Sun Pleasure!! Sun Ra and His Astro-Infinity Arkestra El Saturn #512 1959
1970 Continuation Sun Ra and His Astro-Infinity Arkestra El Saturn ESR 520 1968
1970 My Brother the Wind Sun Ra and His Astro-Infinity Arkestra Saturn Research ESR521 1969
1970 The Night of the Purple Moon Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra El Saturn IR 522 1970 Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra on LP label
1971 My Brother the Wind, Vol. II: The Wind Speaks Sun Ra and His Astro Infinity Arkestra El Saturn SR-523 1969-1970 Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra on LP label
1971 The Solar-Myth Approach Sun Ra and His Solar Myth Arkestra BYG Actuel 1970–1971 2xLP; reissued 1972 as The Solar-Myth Approach, Vol. 1 and The Solar-Myth Approach, Vol. 2
1972 Universe in Blue Sun Ra and His Blue Universe Arkestra El Saturn ESR 200 1972
1974? Monorails and Satellites, Vol. 2 Sun Ra El Saturn 519 1966
1974? A Tonal View of Times Tomorrow: Space Probe  [de] Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 527 1969–1970
1972 Bad and Beautiful Mr. Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn ESR532 1961 reissued by ABC/Impulse! in 1975
1973 Deep Purple Sun Ra and His Arkestra Featuring Stuff Smith El Saturn 485 1953–1973 AKA Dreams Come True
1973 Astro Black Sun Ra Impulse!/ABC May 7, 1972
1973 Space Is the Place Sun Ra Blue Thumb BTS 41 1972
1973 Discipline 27-II Sun Ra and His Astro Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra El Saturn ES538 1972
1974? The Invisible Shield Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 529 1962–1970 AKA Janus; A Tonal View of Times Tomorrow, Vol. 2; Satellites are Outerspaces
1975 Pathways to Unknown Worlds Sun Ra and His Astro Infinity Arkestra ABC Impulse! 1973 reissue of Saturn 564
1975 What's New (Sub Underground Series) The Sun Ra Arkestra Saturn 1962 & 1975
1976 Cosmos Sun Ra Cobra (France) August 1976 issued in US on Inner City in 1977
1977-10-14 Some Blues But Not the Kind That's Blue Sun Ra El Saturn 747 1977 AKA My Favorite Things
1977 Solo Piano Sun Ra Improvising Artists 1977
1978 New Steps Sun Ra Quartet Horo 1978
1978 Other Voices, Other Blues Sun Ra Quartet Horo 1978
1978 Visions Sun Ra and Walt Dickerson SteepleChase Records 1978
1978 Lanquidity Sun Ra Philly Jazz 1978
1979 The Other Side of the Sun Sun Ra and His Arkestra Sweet Earth 1978-1979
1979-07-25 God Is More than Love Can Ever Be Sun Ra Trio Saturn 72579 1979
1979-09-13 Omniverse Sun Ra El Saturn 91379 1979
1979-10-16 On Jupiter  [de] Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 101679 1979 AKA Seductive Fantasy AKA UFO
1979 Sleeping Beauty Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 1979 AKA Door of the Cosmos
1980 Strange Celestial Road Sun Ra Rounder 3050 1979
1981-10-04 Aurora Borealis Sun Ra El Saturn 10480 1980
1983 A Fireside Chat with Lucifer Sun Ra and His Outer Space Arkestra Saturn Research B1984SG-9 1982
1983 Just Friends Sun Ra El Saturn XI 1956-1982
1984 Celestial Love Sun Ra and His Outer Space Arkestra El Saturn 19842 1982
1984 Nuclear War Sun Ra Arkestra Y Records 1982
1987 Reflections in Blue Sun Ra Arkestra Black Saint 1986
1987 Hours After Sun Ra Arkestra Black Saint 1986
1989 Out There a Minute  [de] Sun Ra and His Arkestra Blast First 1961–1970
1989 Blue Delight Sun Ra A&M 1988
1990 Mayan Temples Sun Ra Arkestra Black Saint 1990
1990 Purple Night Sun Ra A&M 1989
1993 Soundtrack to the Film Space Is the Place Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Solar Arkestra Evidence 1972
1993 Somewhere Else Sun Ra Rounder 1988-1989


Posthumous releases of studio material and rehearsals

[edit]
Credited artist Artist Original Label(s) Recorded Release date & notes
Blue York Sun Ra Jeanne Dielman 1963 2014 as a bonus disc for the Continuation album re-release and 2016 as the Blue York Album. Previously unreleased recording from 1963[7]
Heliocentric Worlds Vol. 3 (The Lost Tapes) Sun Ra ESP-Disk 1965 2005. Previously unreleased recording from the Heliocentric Worlds Volume II sessions[8]
Other Strange Worlds Sun Ra And His Astro-Infinity Arkestra Roaratorio 1965 2014. Previously unreleased recording made in Sun Ra's apartment in New York City[9]
Thunder of the Gods Sun Ra and His Arkestra Modern Harmonic 1966 2017. Previously unreleased live and studio recordings[10]
Sun Embassy Sun Ra And His Astro-Ihnfinity Arkestra Roaratorio 1968–1969 2018. Archival recordings from the Sun Ra Philadelphia house, Sun Studios, from May 1968 to October 1969[11]
The Intergalactic Thing Sun Ra And His Astro-Ihnfinity Arkestra Roaratorio 1969 2016. A dozen previously unreleased recordings from rehearsals at the Sun Ra Philadelphia house[12]
Crystal Spears Sun Ra Evidence 1973 2000. Previously unreleased album which was planned for release and shelved by Impulse! in the 1970s[13]
Cymbals Sun Ra Evidence 1973 2000. Previously unreleased album which was planned for release and shelved by Impulse! in the 1970s[13]
Friendly Love Sun Ra Evidence 1973 2000. Previously unreleased album which was planned for release and shelved by Impulse! in the 1970s
Sign Of The Myth Sun Ra And His Astro-Infinity Arkestra Roaratorio 1973 2014. Previously unreleased Impulse! recordings from the Pathways To Unknown Worlds sessions[14]
Dance of the Living Image: The Lost Reel Collection Volume 4 Sun Ra Transparency 1974 2007. Previously unreleased reel-to-reel rehearsal sessions made in San Francisco[15]
Untitled Recordings Sun Ra Transparency 1973-1985 2008. Live recording from 1985, Rehearsal from 1978 and jam from 1973[16]
Of Abstract Dreams Sun Ra Strut mid 1970s 2018. Previously unreleased session at WXPN in Philadelphia[17]
Prophet Sun Ra and His Arkestra Modern Harmonic 1986-08-15 2022. Previously unreleased session at Mission Control Studios in Westford, Massachusetts with Sun Ra playing the Prophet VS (vector synthesizer)[18]
Inside the Light World: Sun Ra Meets the OVC Sun Ra Strut 1986 2024. Multi-track session recorded for the Outer Space Visual Communicator videos and newly mixed[19]
Uncharted Passages Sun Ra Modern Harmonic 1977 & 1979 2025. Solo piano from a live concert in 1977 and a studio session in 1979[20]

Live albums

[edit]
Year Title Credited artist Label Recorded Notes
2002 Music from Tomorrow's World: Chicago 1960 Sun Ra and His Arkestra Atavistic 1960
1976 Featuring Pharoah Sanders & Black Harold (aka Judson Hall, New York, December 31, 1964) Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 1964-12-31
1966 Nothing Is Sun Ra ESP-Disk 1966-05
2013 Space Aura Sun Ra and His Band from Outer Space Art Yard 1966
1974 Outerspaceways Inc. Sun Ra and his Astro-Intergalactic Research Arkestra El Saturn 1966-1968 reissued as Spaceways
1971 Pictures of Infinity  [de] (aka Outer Spaceways Incorporated) Sun Ra and His Arkestra Black Lion Records 1966
2009 Newport Jazz Festival - The Electric Circus Sun Ra Transparency 1968-1969
2013 Live at the Red Garter Sun Ra Arkestra Transparency 1970
1971 Nuits de la Fondation Maeght Volume 1 Sun Ra Arkestra Shandar 1970-08-03 – 1970-08-05
1971 Nuits de la Fondation Maeght Volume 2 Sun Ra Arkestra Shandar 1970-08-03 – 1970-08-05
2025 Nuits de la Fondation Maeght Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Research Arkestra Strut 1970-08-03 – 1970-08-05 6LP/4CD box set
1970 It's After the End of the World Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Research Arkestra MPS 1970-10-17
1970-11-07
1998 Black Myth/Out in Space Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Research Arkestra MPS Records/Motor Music 1970-10-17
1970-11-07
2010 Live in London Sun Ra and the Intergalactic Research Arkestra Transparency 1970-11-09
2023 Paradiso Amsterdam 1970 Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Research Arkestra Jazz in Paradiso 1970-11-18
1972 Live in Egypt, Vol. I: Nature's God (Dark Myth Equation Visitation) Sun Ra and His Astro Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra El Saturn 1971 AKA Discipline 27
1972 Nidhamu Sun Ra and His Astro Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra El Saturn 1971 AKA Live in Egypt, Vol. II
1972 Horizon Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 1971 Recorded live in Egypt, 1971
2010 The Paris Tapes - Live at Le Theatre Du Chatlet 1971 Sun Ra and His Mythic Science Arkestra Kindred Spirits / Art Yard 1971
2009 Helsinki 1971 Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Solar Research Arkestra Transparency 1971-10-14
1998 Calling Planet Earth Sun Ra Freedom 1971-12-05
2007 The Creator of the Universe (Lost Reel Collection Volume 1) Sun Ra Transparency 1971 includes Berkeley lecture on second disc
2007 Intergalactic Research (Lost Reel Collection Volume 2) Sun Ra Transparency 1971-1972
2007 The Shadows Took Shape (Lost Reel Collection Volume 3) Sun Ra Transparency early 1970s
2008 Live at Slug's Saloon Sun Ra Transparency 1972 6CD box set
2016 I Roam the Cosmos Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra Art Yard 1972
1999 Life Is Splendid Sun Ra and His Solar Myth Arkestra Total Energy 1972 live at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival 1972
2010 The Universe Sent Me (Lost Reel Collection Volume 5) Sun Ra Transparency 1972-1973
1999 Outer Space Employment Agency Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Arkestra Total Energy 1973 live at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival 1973
2006 What Planet Is This? Sun Ra and His Space Arkestra Leo 1973
1993 Concert for the Comet Kohoutek Sun Ra ESP-Disk 1973
1975 Live in Paris at the "Gibus" Sun Ra Atlantic Records 1973
2015 Planets Of Life Or Death: Amiens '73 Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Research Arkestra Strut 1973
2010 The Road to Destiny (Lost Reel Collection Volume 6) Sun Ra Transparency 1973
2001 It Is Forbidden Sun Ra and His Intergalactic Arkestra Total Energy 1974 live at the Ann Arbor Blue and Jazz Festival in Exile 1974
2011 Wake Up Angels Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra Art Yard 1972-1974 live at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festivals 1972-1974
1974 Out Beyond the Kingdom Of Sun Ra and His Outer Space Arkestra El Saturn 61674 1974
1974 The Antique Blacks Sun Ra and His Arkestra Saturn 81774 1974
1974 Sub Underground Sun Ra and His Arkestra Saturn 92074 1974
2009 Live in Cleveland Sun Ra Leo 1975
1976 Live at Montreux Sun Ra and His Arkestra Inner City Records 1976
1994 A Quiet Place in the Universe Sun Ra and His Arkestra Leo 1976
2024 At The Showcase: Live in Chicago 1976-1977 Sun Ra Jazz Detective 1976-1977
1977 Taking a Chance on Chances Sun Ra and His Arkestra Saturn 1977
1977 Somewhere Over the Rainbow Sun Ra and His Arkestra Saturn 1977
1977 The Soul Vibrations of Man Sun Ra and His Arkestra Saturn 1977
2016 In Some Far Place: Roma 1977 Sun Ra Strut 1977
1978 St. Louis Blues (solo piano) Sun Ra Improvising Artists 1977
1978 Some Blues But Not the Kind That's Blue Sun Ra and His Arkestra Saturn 1977
2003 Solo Piano Recital Teatro La Fenice Sun Ra Leo 1977
1978 Unity Sun Ra and His Arkestra Horo 1977
2006 Springtime in Chicago The Sun Ra Arkestra Leo 1978
1978 Disco 3000 Sun Ra Quartet El Saturn 1978
1978 Media Dreams Sun Ra Quartet El Saturn 1978
1978 The Sound Mirror Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 1978
2024 Lights on a Satellite - Live at the Left Bank Sun Ra Resonance 1978
2010 Live at the Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto 1978 Sun Ra Transparency 1978 10 CD box set
1985 Outer Reach Intensity Energy Sun Ra El Saturn 1978-1983
1980 Of Mythic Worlds Sun Ra Philly Jazz[21] 1979
1979 I, Pharaoh Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 6680[22] 1979
1994 Live from Soundscape Sun Ra and His Arkestra DIW Records 1979[23]
1980 Voice of the Eternal Tomorrow Sun Ra and His Arkestra El Saturn 1980
2010 Live in Rome Sun Ra Transparency 1980-03-28
1981 Sunrise in Different Dimensions The Sun Ra Arkestra Hathut Records 1980
2007 The Complete Detroit Jazz Center Residency Sun Ra And The Omniverse Jet Set Arkestra
Limited issue of 500 copies, 28-CD Box Set		 Transparency 1980
1981 Beyond the Purple Star Zone Sun Ra And His Omniverse Jet-Set Arkestra El Saturn 123180 1980
1981 Dance of Innocent Passion Sun Ra El Saturn 1981
1981 Oblique Parallax primarily Sun Ra on keyboard El Saturn SR72881 1980
The Sun Ra Arkestra Meets Salah Ragab In Egypt The Sun Ra Arkestra / Salah Ragab / The Cairo Jazz Band Leo 1983
2008 Milan, Zurich, West Berlin, Paris Sun Ra All Stars Transparency 1983 5 CD box set
1983 Ra to the Rescue Sun Ra El Saturn
1988 Love in Outer Space Sun Ra and His Arkestra Leo 1983
1985 Hiroshima The Sun Ra All Stars Band Saturn 1983-1984
1985 Cosmo Sun Connection Sun Ra and His Arkestra Saturn/ Recommended Records 1984
2014 Live in Nickelsdorf 1984 The Sun Ra Arkestra Trost 1984-03-11
2023 Live At Mohren - March 25th 1984 Sun Ra and His Arkestra De Occulta Records 1984-03-25
Live at Praxis '84 The Sun Ra Arkestra Leo 1984
2024 Excelsior Mill Sun Ra Modern Harmonic 1984-12-31
2006 Live at Club Lingerie The Sun Ra Arkestra Transparency 1985
2006 Live at Myron's Ballroom The Sun Ra Arkestra Transparency 1985
1986 A Night in East Berlin Sun Ra and His Cosmo Discipline Arkestra Saturn 1986
2019 Live In Kalisz 1986 Sun Ra Arkestra Lanquidity Records 1986
1987 John Cage Meets Sun Ra Sun Ra and John Cage Meltdown 1987
1988 Cosmo Omnibus Imagiable Illusion Sun Ra Arkestra DIW 1988[24]
1988 Hidden Fire 1 Sun Ra Saturn 13188III / 12988II 1988 live at Knitting Factory, NYC
1988 Hidden Fire 2 Sun Ra Saturn 13088A / 12988B 1988 live at Knitting Factory, NYC
2018 Pine Street Theatre, October 28th 1988 Sun Ra And His Cosmo Love Adventure Arkestra Jackpot 1988-10-28
1995 Second Star to the Right (Salute to Walt Disney) Sun Ra & His Intergalactic Arkestra Leo 1989-04-29
1997 Stardust from Tomorrow Sun Ra & His Intergalaxtic Arkestra Leo 1989-04-29
1990 Live London 1990 Sun Ra and His Year 2000 Myth Science Arkestra Blast First 1990
1994 Live at the Hackney Empire Sun Ra And The Year 2000 Myth Science Arkestra Leo 1990
1993 Pleiades[25] Sun Ra and His Arkestra Leo Records 1990
1993 At the Village Vanguard Sun Ra Sextet Rounder 1991
1993 Friendly Galaxy Sun Ra Arkestra Leo 1991
2016-11-25 At Inter-Media Arts, April 1991 Sun Ra and His Arkestra Modern Harmonic 1991-04-20
1992 Destination Unknown Sun Ra & His Omniverse Arkestra Enja Records 1992

Posthumous compilations

[edit]
Recorded Released Album Credited artist Original Label(s)
1954-1982 1996 The Singles Sun Ra Evidence
1956–1973 2000 Greatest Hits: Easy Listening for Intergalactic Travel Sun Ra and His Arkestra Evidence
1955–1956 2007 Toward The Stars - Pioneering In 1955-56[26] Sun Ra FiveFour
2009 Interplanetary Melodies Sun Ra and His Arkestra Norton
2009 The Second Stop Is Jupiter Sun Ra and His Arkestra Norton
2009 Rocket Ship Rock Sun Ra and His Arkestra Norton
2014 In the Orbit of Ra[27] Sun Ra and His Arkestra Strut
2015 To Those of Earth... And Other Worlds Sun Ra and His Arkestra Strut
1952–1961 2016-11-25 Singles: The Definitive 45s Collection, Vol. 1—1952–1961 Sun Ra Strut
1962-1991 2017-04-26 Singles: The Definitive 45s Collection, Vol. 2 — 1962-1991) Sun Ra Strut
2017-11-24 Exotica Sun Ra Modern Harmonic
1958–1985 2018-03-27 The Space Age Is Here To Stay Sun Ra and His Interplanetary Vocal Arkestra Modern Harmonic/Sundazed Music
2019-11-29 Saturnian Queen of the Sun Ra Arkestra June Tyson Modern Harmonic
2024-04-20 Pink Elephants on Parade Sun Ra Modern Harmonic
2024 Kingdom of Discipline Sun Ra Dead Currencies
2025-04-12 Stray Voltage Sun Ra Modern Harmonic

Singles[28]

[edit]
Year Title Credited Artist Label Recorded Notes
2009 I Am Strange / I am an Instrument Sun Ra Norton 45-153 1952-1962
2005 Chicago USA / Spaceship Lullaby Sun Ra with Nu Sounds Stop Smiling 1955
1983 Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie (demo) / A Foggy Day The Cosmic Rays / The Nu Sounds El Saturn SATURN 9 1954-1959
1956 I'm Coming Home / Last Call for Love Billie Hawkins with Sun Ra and his Orchestra Heartbeat 1956
1956 Soft Talk / Super Blonde Sun Ra and his Arkestra Saturn Z1111 1956
1956 Saturn / Call For All Demons Le Sun Ra and his Arkistra Saturn G7OW5257/G7OW5259 1956
1956 Medicine for a Nightmare / Urnack Le Sun Ra and his Arkistra Saturn G7OW5258/G7OW5261, Z222 1956
1961 Happy New Year to You! /It's Christmas Time The Qualities Saturn M08W4052/3 1956-1961
1950s Muck Muck / Hot Skillet Mama Yochanan (The Space Age Vocalist) Saturn 4236/4237 1957?
1958 Bye Bye / Somebody's In Love The Cosmic Rays with Sun Ra Saturn 222/223 1958
1958 Hours After / Great Balls of Fire Le Sun Ra and his Arkestra Saturn J08W0245/6 1958
1967 Adventur in Space / October Sun Ra and his Astro-Infinity Arkestra Saturn 874 1956-1959
1960 Dreaming / Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie The Cosmic Rays with Sun Ra and Arkestra Saturn SR-401/SR-402 1959
1961 The Sun One / Message to Earthman Yochannon with Sun Ra and his Arkestra Saturn 1502 1960?
1960 Space Loneliness / State Street Sun Ra and his Arkestra Saturn L08W-0114/0115 1960
1960 The Blue Set / Big City Blues Sun Ra and his Arkestra Saturn SA-1001 1960
1964-1965 A Blue One / Orbitration in Blue Sun Ra and His Arkestra featuring Pat Patrick on the baritone sax Saturn SRA999 1962
1989 Out There a Minute on The Devil's Jukebox 10x7" Sun Ra Blast First BFDJ 1-10 1962-1964
1960s Tell Her to Come Home / I'm Making Believe Little Mack Saturn 144M 1962
1968 The Bridge / Rocket Number Nine Sun Ra and his Outer Space Arkestra El Saturn 3066 1967
1969 Blues on Planet Mars / Saturn Moon Sun Ra and his Astro-Solar Infinity Arkestra Saturn 911 1968
1973? Journey to Saturn / Enlightenment Sun Ra and his Astro-Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra Saturn ES 538 1970-1974?
1973-1974 I'm Gonna Unmask the Batman / The Perfect Man Sun Ra Saturn ES 537
1975 Love in Outer Space / Mayan Temple Sun Ra Saturn 256/62775 1975
1982 Quest / Outer Space Plateau Sun Ra & his Outer Space Arkestra Saturn SUN-RA 1982 Z 1977&1982
1978 Disco 2100 / Sky Blues Sun Ra Saturn 2100 1978
1979 Rough House Blues / Cosmo Extensions Sun Ra Saturn SR51879 1979
1982 Nuclear War / Sometimes I'm Happy Sun Ra Y Records RA1 1982
2014 Prophetika Sun Ra Norton 1901 1978-1979
1988 Queer Notions / Prelude No. 7 Sun Ra DIW DEP 1-1 1988
1988 East of the Sun / Frisco Fog Sun Ra DIW DEP 1-2 1988
1988 Opus Springtime / Cosmo Swing Blues Sun Ra DIW DEP 1-3 1988
1994 I am the Instrument Sun Ra Blast First BFFP CD101 1991
[edit]
Recorded Album Credited artist Original Label(s)
1954–1960 Spaceship Lullaby: Chicago 1954-60 Sun Ra/the Vocal Groups featuring Nu Sounds, the Unitels & the Cosmic Rays Atavistic
1966 Impressions of a Patch of Blue Walt Dickerson Quartet with Sun Ra on harpsichord MGM
1966 Batman and Robin - The Sensational Guitars of Dan and Dale Uncredited, but featuring Sun Ra & members of the Arkestra and the Blues Project Tifton
1968 A Black Mass Imamu Amiri Baraka with Sun Ra and His Myth Science Arkestra Jihad Productions[29]
1988 Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films Sun Ra & His Arkestra perform "Pink Elephants On Parade" from Dumbo A&M Records
1992 A Tribute to Stuff Smith Billy Bang with Sun Ra, John Ore and Andrew Cyrille Soul Note
2013 ARTPOP Writing credit with Lady Gaga for the song "Venus" Interscope
2023 Red Hot & Ra: Nuclear War, (A Tribute to Sun Ra: Volume 1) Georgia Anne Muldrow, Josef Leimberg, Angel Bat Dawid, Malcolm Jiyane Tree-o, Grandmaster CAP Red Hot Organization
2023 Red Hot + Ra: Solar – Sun Ra in Brasil, (A Tribute to Sun Ra: Volume 2) Xuxa Levy, Orquestra Afrosinfônica, Jazzmeia Horn, Munir Hossn, Meshell Ndegeocello, Metá Metá, Edgar, Fabrício Boliveira, Edbrass Brasil, Xênia França, Tiganá Santana, Hamilton de Holanda Trio, Max de Castro, BNegão, Orchestra Klaxon Red Hot Organization
2024 Red Hot + Ra: The Magic City, (A Tribute to Sun Ra: Volume 3) Meshell Ndegeocello Red Hot Organization
2024 Red Hot + Ra: Outer Spaceways Incorporated (A Tribute to Sun Ra: Volume 4) (2024) Kronos Quartet, Marshall Allen, Laurie Anderson, Jlin, Laraaji, RP Boo, 700 Bliss, Armand Hammer, Terry Riley Red Hot Organization

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sun Ra discography". Allmusic.
  2. ^ Campbell, Robert L. & Trent, Christopher (2000). The Earthly Recordings of Sun Ra (2nd ed.). Redwood, NY: Cadence Jazz Books. ISBN 978-1-881993-35-3.
  3. ^ Szwed, John F. (1997). Space Is the Place: The Lives and Times of Sun Ra. New York City: Pantheon Books. p. xvii. ISBN 978-0-679-43589-1.
  4. ^ Holley Jr., Eugene (2023-01-04). "The DIY Cosmic Cover Art of Sun Ra". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  5. ^ Planer, Lindsay. "Jazz In Silhouette". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  6. ^ Cook, Richard & Morton, Brian (2006) [1992]. "Sun Ra". The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (8th ed.). New York City: Penguin Books. p. 1245. ISBN 0-14-102327-9.
  7. ^ "Sun Ra Continuation". Discogs. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  8. ^ "Sign Of The Myth". Roaratorio. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  9. ^ "Other Strange Worlds". Roaratorio. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  10. ^ Pearce, Sheldon (2017-04-13). "Sun Ra and His Arkestra: Thunder of the Gods". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
  11. ^ "Sun Embassy". Forced Exposure. Retrieved 2018-07-08.
  12. ^ "The Intergalactic Thing". Roaratorio. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  13. ^ a b Ruhlmann, William. "Great Lost Sun Ra Albums: Cymbals & Crystal Spears". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  14. ^ "Sun Ra – Heliocentric Worlds Vol. 3 (The Lost Tapes)". Discogs. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  15. ^ Nastos, Michael G. "Dance of the Living Image". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  16. ^ Sun Ra - Untitled Recordings, 2008, retrieved 2025-10-18
  17. ^ Of Abstract Dreams - Sun Ra | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 2025-10-17
  18. ^ Prophet - Sun Ra | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 2025-10-17
  19. ^ Inside the Light World: Sun Ra Meets the OVC -... | AllMusic, retrieved 2025-10-17
  20. ^ Uncharted Passages - Sun Ra | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 2025-10-18
  21. ^ "Sun Ra - Of Mythic Worlds". Discogs. 1980.
  22. ^ Campbell, Robert (2013-01-30). "Sun Ra Discography: Items 76-127". University of Alabama at Birmingham. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20.
  23. ^ "Live from Soundscape". AllMusic.
  24. ^ "Live at Pitt-In, Tokyo". AllMusic.
  25. ^ Campbell, Robert. "Sun Ra discography". University of Alabama at Birmingham. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  26. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Toward the Stars - Sun Ra". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  27. ^ Westergaard, Sean. "In the Orbit of Ra". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  28. ^ Geerken, Hartmut; Trent, Chris; Baraka, Amiri; Wilmer, Valerie (2015). Omniverse Sun Ra: comprehensive pictorial and annotated discography, including chronological discography and alphabetical record title, composition, personnel and record label indexes (Revised and expanded second ed.). Essex: Art Yard Limited. ISBN 978-0-9933514-0-2.
  29. ^ "LeRoi Jones / Le Sun Ra* - A Black Mass". Discogs. 1968.
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