Singles

Sun Ra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 1996)
• Original Release Date: September 24, 1996
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Evidence
• ASIN: B0000014N7
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,580 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. A Foggy Day - The Nu Sounds

2. Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie - The Cosmic Rays

3. Dreaming - The Cosmic Rays

4. Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie - The Cosmic Rays

5. Bye Bye - The Cosmic Rays

6. Somebody's In Love - The Cosmic Rays

7. Medicine For A Nightmare - Arkestra

8. Saturn - Arkestra

9. Supersonic Jazz - Arkestra

10. Happy New Year To You - The Qualities

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Blue Set - Sun Ra

2. Big City Blues - Sun Ra

3. Tell Her To Come On Home - Little Mack

4. I'm Making Believe - Little Mack

5. The Bridge - Sun Ra

6. Rocket # 9 - Sun Ra

7. Blues On Planet Mars - Sun Ra

8. Saturn Moon - Sun Ra

9. The Sky Is Crying - Lacy Gibson

10. She's My Baby - Lacy Gibson

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, Bizarre and Important too, June 1, 2000

By 

George Grella "Urbane citizen" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Singles (Audio CD)

This is a treasure-trove of some of the most unexpected and fascinating music from Sun Ra. As a lot of the descriptions point out, this is mostly R&B style pop music - it was all literally made as 45' singles, meant for juke-box play. The surprising part, of course, is that one of the great avant-garde jazz musicians would make these records, but on reflection it's really not so strange. The avant-garde in jazz, with Sun Ra and the Art Ensemble as great examples, have always had their roots deep in blues, R&B and other African-American pop music, not necessarily out of necessity but out of love. Just listen to the blues in Ornette Coleman's playing, or read Lester Bowie's stories about playing in funk bands. Even Coltrane paid his dues by 'walkin' the bar' in R&B bands.

Unlike other comments, I think this music is perfect for a Sun Ra fan, as I am, because as a true lover of his music, you have to let the man do what he wants and not pigeon-hole your own listening with your expectations. Expect that unexpected with this set, which is by turns charming, funny and bizarre, but always true and sincere. A must, a real must for any true Sun Ran fan.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Achievement!!But DONT Start Here, August 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Singles (Audio CD)

I am relatively new to the world of Sun Ra (started 7/99). Someone mentioned him to me and I decided to start my Sun Ra collection the way I started my collection with most rock groups and that is with a compilation of hits or singles. I bought this and was immediately put off by what I heard. I later tried "Other Planes of There" after hearing a extraordinary Sun Ra song on a college radio station, and that was the real start of my Sun Ra collection of nearly 70 cds. This singles compilation remains a high point in my collection.
The reason this isnt the place to start is although it is a singles compilation, which I still cannot believe they were able to compile considering how obscure a great deal of them are, but alot of what is on here is Sun Ra in a support role to another act. The other act being a Rhythm and Blues act with performances I have grown to love, even though they are not typical Sun Ra by any stretch of the imagination.
If you are a seasoned veteran of Sun Ra from any period the 50s, 60s,70s, 80s, buy this album and let it grow on you. If you are interested in Sun Ra and wonder where to start I would ask yourself Big Band?? or Free Jazz?? If the answer is just swing and a good time start with "Jazz in Silhouette". But if you want free jazz taken further than John Coltranes deepest dreams. Try "Atlantis" and the peek of the genre "Magic City".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for Fans, Not for Beginners, October 23, 2000

By 

Scott McFarland (Manassas, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Singles (Audio CD)

The music on here is not typical Sun Ra. Evidence have done a wonderful job of collecting rare material into an informative, well-presented package. Unfortunately many potential fans may try to start an investigation of Ra's music here, when much of the content here is not reflective of Ra's jazzier, more arranged LPs. What is here is interesting, but it is by no means Ra's best stuff - though there are some real pearls of beauty in here.

Here's to the unmasking of the Batman.