"Singles 1952-1991" is an extensive CD anthology that traces nearly four decades of Sun Ra's singular cosmic jazz vision. Focusing on rare and often hard-to-find 7" releases, this collection charts his evolution from early 1950s big-band-inflected experiments through the avant-garde explosions and space-age grooves of the 1960s and 1970s, and into the more electronic and funk-tinted excursions of his later years. The set captures Sun Ra and his Arkestra in compact, concentrated form: concise tracks where wild experimentation, off-kilter swing, hypnotic chants, and otherworldly harmonies collide. From skewed doo-wop and left-field rhythm & blues to free improvisation and exploratory cosmic jazz, "Singles 1952-1991" offers a panoramic view of one of the most unconventional catalogs in 20th-century music and serves as a powerful entry point for newcomers while rewarding long-time listeners with restored sound and carefully curated sequencing.
Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount) became a cult figure and one of the most influential pioneers of avant-garde jazz, blending big-band traditions with radical improvisation, Afro-futurist philosophy and theatrical, space-age stage performances. As leader of the constantly evolving Arkestra, he released a vast number of albums on his own Saturn label and beyond, inspiring generations of jazz, experimental, electronic and alternative musicians. His work from the 1950s through the 1980s helped expand the vocabulary of jazz, and albums such as "Jazz in Silhouette", "The Magic City", "Space Is the Place" and his many live recordings are widely regarded as milestones of experimental music.
The CD edition of "Singles 1952-1991" from Strut places particular emphasis on audio quality and archival care. Strut is a UK-based reissue and compilation label known for its meticulous restorations and for presenting overlooked or hard-to-find music with comprehensive documentation and high production standards. Over the years, Strut has built a reputation among collectors and music lovers for its thoughtful curation, focusing on jazz, funk, disco, African and Caribbean music and other niche genres, often working directly from original master tapes or best-available sources. With this release, Strut continues its mission of preserving musical heritage, offering an authoritative and accessible overview of Sun Ra's single output across four decades.
"Singles 1952-1991" on CD is aimed at listeners who want to experience the breadth of Sun Ra's artistry in concise, single-length bursts rather than through the long-form albums alone. The anthology reveals how even within the strict time limits of a 7" side, Sun Ra managed to reshape swing, blues, spirituals and free jazz into new, otherworldly forms. Packaged with detailed liner notes and session information where available, this collection functions both as a sonic time capsule and as an essential reference work on Sun Ra's discography, highlighting the restless creativity that made him a central figure in modern jazz and experimental music.
Modern
32.378
- AcidJazz/DanceJazz 106- Avantgarde/Free 981- Bebop 109- Bossa Nova 341- Cool 75- Hard Bop 155- Jazz Rock/Fusion 747- Latin Jazz 1.000- Other Modern Jazz 27.398- PopJazz/SmoothJazz 795- World-&Ethno-Ja. 448
