Item Description

Recorded in July 1956 and released in 1957, Jazz by Sun Ra Vol. 1 is known to be the first LP by Sun Ra. The album showcases all the musical ideas the musician had previously experimented with: advanced time signatures coupled with harmonic scales based on mathematical equations, all in the service of a clever mix of hard bop, swing and African influences.

Following on this first volume, a new session was recorded by Tom Wilson in December 1956 in Chicago. Although scheduled for release, Jazz by Sun Ra Vol. 2 would never be issued on Transition, as the label had to close doors during the year 1957. The album was only be released in 1968 by Delmark under the title Sound of Joy.
Jazz by Sun Ra Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 may be the most accessible work in the Sun Ra catalogue, as well as one of the most enjoyable to listen to. The two volumes are now reunited and available together for the first time, as originally planned!

Personnel:
Sun Ra (Hammond B-3 organ, piano)
Art Hoyle (trumpet)
Dave Young (trumpet)
John Avant (trombone)
Pat Patrick (alto & baritone sax)
John Gilmore (tenor sax)
Charles Davis (baritone sax)
Victor Sproles (electric bass, tambourine)
William ‘Bugs’ Cochran (drums, percussion)
Jim Herndon (tympani, timbales, bells)

Side A
El Is A Sound Of Joy (Sun Ra) 3’53
Overtones Of China (Sun Ra) 3’33
Two Tones (Davis – Patrick) 3’39
Paradise (Sun Ra) 4’28
Planet Earth (Sun Ra) 4’21

Side B
Ankh (Sun Ra) 6’28
Saturn (Sun Ra) 3’57
Reflections In Blue (Sun Ra) 6’18
El Viktor (Sun Ra) 2’29

– Limited Edition 1000 copies.
– Mastering by François Lê Xuân, Studio 101.
– Cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.
– Pressed by Garcia & Co, Marciac, France.
– Tip-on jacket screen-printed by Pozzoli, Italy.
– 16-page booklet.
– Produced by François Lê Xuân and Fred Thomas for Sam Records/Saga.
– Under licence from Delmark Records.
– Each record has been visually checked to prevent defects.