SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC SOLAR ARKESTRA - SPACE IS THE PLACE - MUSIC FROM THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

• Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Solar Arkestra: Space Is The Place - Music From The Original Soundtrack
      (2023, 2cd+dvd+blu-ray)

Having the "Soundtrack To Space Is The Place" album that got released on the Evidence record label in 1993 as well as the "Space Is The Place" movie on DVD, the 2023 "Space Is The Place" box set was always pushed backwards on my priority list.

Our recent visit to Hamburg was going to solve this inconvenience. The "Space Is The Place" box set was moved from the bottom to the top of my priority list, together with some other recent Sun Ra albums.
Unfortunately, as things turned out, I wasn't able to find a copy. Out of the four Sun Ra releases on my list, I only found one. Too bad. 

I had no choice but to resort to trying to find and to placing an order online. That wasn't easy either. It seems like this box set is close to becoming sold out.

After a bit of a search, earlier this week, the "Space Is The Place - Music From The Original Soundtrack" box set finally arrived.
Two CDs in one digipack: “Space Is The Place” (modern harmonic mhcd-267), plus another digipack with the "Space Is The Place" DVD and blu-ray, and a booklet. All in one nice little box.

I've only listened to the CDs and the sound is great. I'm very happy with the second disc, presenting unreleased material that got recorded at the same sessions.

The box was also released with three LPs replacing the two CDs.
But this CD/DVD/blu-ray box set is great as well.

Recommended. Especially if you don't have the previously released soundtrack or the movie.

"It's after the end of the world. Don't you know that yet?"

A SUN RA UPDATE

It's hard to keep track of the Sun Ra discography, but these two titles have recently been spotted.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

"Do The Impossible"

SUN RA'S "EAST TWO + 7" IS OUT

 'East Two' + 7 other tracks.
The CD got released a couple of days ago.

SUN RA - DO THE IMPOSSIBLE - ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

"Do The Impossible: Original Soundtrack To The Documentary"
by Sun Ra

 Available on Bandcamp,
as a 2 LP set on purple coloured vinyl plus a blu-ray (with the documentary);
and as a 2 CD set plus the blu-ray.

A SUN RA UPDATE FROM THE STRUT RECORD LABEL

The Heliocentrics, Marshall Allen, Knoel Scott Ft. Bilal: Nuclear War

Strut proudly presents Nuclear War, a powerful collaboration between UK collective The Heliocentrics, Sun Ra Arkestra legends Marshall Allen and Knoel Scott, and vocalist Bilal - issued on limited-edition “hazardous” orange and yellow vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day 2026.

The 4-track EP features a sinuous take on Ronnie Boykins’ ‘Angels And Demons At Play’ , originally recorded in 1960, a strident version of ‘Where Pathways Meet’ which was originally created for the much- loved Sun Ra Lanquidity album in 1978, and a dense and deep re- work of 1972’s ‘Astro Black’ featuring Bilal’s incredible otherworldly vocals. The title track ‘Nuclear War’ is re-worked into a cavernous groove featuring Heliocentrics vocalist Barbora Patkova.

Sun Ra: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Strut proudly presents the first definitive expanded reissue of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Sun Ra’s 1977 session recorded at the Bluebird in Bloomington, Indiana, presented in a new 3LP vinyl set or across 2CD's.

The original LP version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow assembled a handful of clearly delineated tracks drawn from the flow of two complete concert recordings, re-arranged out of sequence. Strut’s new edition restores previously excised material and preserves more of the natural transitions between pieces, offering a fuller glimpse into the distinctive aesthetic of Sun Ra and his Arkestra.

GEOFF LEIGH, FRANK WUYTS - SPACE IS THE PLACE

 From the 1988 album "From Here To Drums" by Geoff Leigh and Frank Wuyts:

Composed by Geoff Leigh, but incorporating the chorus of Sun Ra's 'Space Is The Place'.

-- info: the Dwalmacat radio show

SUN RA - - - HIDDEN FIRE

The Strut record label is releasing Sun Ra's "Hidden Fire" as a 2 LP set in Japan.
Release-date is set at the first of May.

"EAST TWO + 7", NEW SUN RA ALBUM

To be released in June 2026:
Sun Ra & His Arkestra - "East Two + 7"

EAST TWO + 7 comprises previously unreleased tracks from one of Sun Ra's most productive periods: 1972–73. Those two hectic years saw Sun Ra recording numerous albums, staging concerts, teaching at Berkeley, acting in and composing the score for a full-length movie, embarking on a multi-album (though ill-fated) major label deal, and touring the U.S. and Europe.

https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/east-two-7

SUN RA ARKESTRA SCHEDULED TO PERFORM AT GHENT JAZZ FESTIVAL

 Thursday, July 2, 2026, the Sun Ra Arkestra is scheduled to perform at the Ghent Jazz Festival.

https://www.gentjazz.com/line-up/sun-ra-arkestra

-- info: Dirk Verschaeve

SUN RA - EXOTICA

The Modern Harmonic record label is re-releasing the Sun Ra "Exotica" (compilation) album as a 3 LP set, on orange vinyl.

PAT PATRICK AND THE BARITONE SAXOPHONE RETINUE

The late Pat Patrick (1929 - 1991) was an American baritone saxophone player who performed and recorded with Sun Ra.
He released one album.

• Pat Patrick & The Baritone Saxophone Retinue: Sound Advice
      (1977, lp, USA, el saturn records) – incl. ‘East Of Uz’ (Sun Ra)

Originally released in 1977, "Sound Advice" would get an LP and CD reissue in 2015 on the Art Yard label.

SUN RA SILKSCREEN PRINT

Available from:

https://sunrastrut.bandcamp.com/merch/cosmo-dream-sun-ra-silk-screen-prints-limited-edition

THE SUN RA ARKESTRA - - - OCTOBER 22, 1987 WARSAW POLAND

 Both the T.U.B.E. (The Ultimate Bootleg Experience) website and the Guitars101 website are mentioning a Sun Ra Arkestra live video recording from 1987, Warsaw, Poland.

https://theultimatebootlegexperience7.blogspot.com/2017/04/sun-ra-arkestra-1987-10-22-warsaw.html

Here's the low res YouTube version:

-- link: Jan van Kemenade

SUN RA ARKESTRA - LIVE AT PIT-INN, TOKYO, JAPAN

• Sun Ra Arkestra: Live At Pit-Inn, Tokyo, Japan
      (2024, 2cd, Japan, super fuji discs / diw)

It's hard to keep track of the ever expanding Sun Ra discography, but that doesn't imply one shouldn't keep on trying.

Last year, the Super Fuji Discs record label re-released "Live At Pit-Inn", an album that had previously been released on a single CD in 1988.
Bonus material, remastered, and and excellent concert.

SUN RA'S "SUPERSONIC JAZZ" GETS A DELUXE RE-ISSUE

When Sun Ra released his debut Saturn release in 1957, he signaled the Arkestra’s mission for the future. 

The cover declared the album a "21st Century Limited Edition." The compositions on Supersonic Jazz conveyed optimism and hope, bringing a message auguring the World of Tomorrow.

Official expanded 2xLP / 2xCD edition features 14 tracks of alternate versions and studio takes, and the CD contains an additional four bonus tracks.

Liner notes by avid Sun Ra fan Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo, and additional essay from longtime Ra blogger Rodger Coleman (NUVOID Sun Ra Sundays).

Vinyl includes a 12x12 insert reproduction of the alternate Saturn jacket art.

https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/supersonic-jazz-expanded-edition

Out on the Cosmic Myth record label.
Available for pre-order.

• Sun Ra And His Arkestra: Supersonic Jazz (deluxe)
      (2025, 2cd, --, cosmic myth records)
      (2025, 2lp, --, cosmic myth records)

SUN RA - DO THE IMPOSSIBLE

I mentioned this brand-new documentary a little while ago at it will be screening in Tilburg, NL, later today. (Sunday - Sept 21, 2025)

https://www.pathe.nl/nl/films/sun-ra-do-the-impossible-49292

It doesn't really fit in today's schedule for me, but I do hope to catch it somewhere soon.

The documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June and is now being shown at various film festivals all over the world.

Here's a snippet and an interview with director Christine Turner.

-

THE STRUT LABEL RE-RELEASED SUN RA'S "HIDDEN FIRE"

Strut Records proudly presents the official reissue of Hidden Fire Volumes 1 & 2, the final album released by Sun Ra on his El Saturn label in 1988.

2 LP set and/or digital download / streaming.

SUN RA DOCUMENTARY TO BE SHOWN AT THE MUSIC FILM FESTIVAL IN TILBURG, NL

Next Sunday afternoon, September 21, 2025, the (Paradox hosted) Music Film Festival will be showing "Sun Ra - Do The Impossible", a documentary on Sun Ra by Christine Turner.

https://paradoxtilburg.nl/programma/sun-ra-do-the-impossible/

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

SUN RA - SPACE JAZZ

Digital Me, the algorithm that follows my whereabouts and other habits, just asked me if I knew about (or wanted to buy) this beautiful 3 LP Sun Ra compilation album.

• Sun Ra And His Arkestra: Space Jazz
      (2017, 3lp, Europe, not now music)

I didn't know about it, and I don't need it but what a great album cover...

SUN RA - STRAY VOLTAGE

• Sun Ra: Stray Voltage
      (2025, 2lp, USA, modern harmonic) – record store day release
      (2025, 2cd, USA, modern harmonic)

Originally released as a 2 LP set for record store day, Sun Ra's "Stray Voltage" album has now also been released on CD (and on Bandcamp).

From Irwin Chusid's liner notes:
If you're looking for melodies, structured compositions, pleasant harmonies, songs you can whistle, and serenades for social gatherings - seek elsewhere.
and he continues:
This is triple-A Ra: Audacious, Aggressive, Adventurous.

Check it out !