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Another upcoming release from Jazz Detective: This album is a special thrill for me, since I first heard Sun Ra when was in high school. The great Zev Feldman’s Jazz Detective label releases Sun Ra at the Showcase: Live in Chicago featuring previously unissued live recordings of the legendary intergalactic composer/pianist. It’s available as a 2 LP set for Record Store Day, April 20, 2024 with the 2-CD set and downloads to follow on April 26. An out-of-this-world bonanza, this album contains previously unissued live recordings of the intergalactic jazz icon captured live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in Chicago, IL on February 21, 1976 and November 4th & 10, 1977. This is an official release on producer Zev Feldman's Jazz Detective record label, in partnership with Elemental Music, and in cooperation with the Sun Ra Trust. Researched and compiled by longtime Sun Ra archivist Michael D. Anderson, and transferred from the original tape reels, this limited-edition 180-gram 2-LP edition (and deluxe 2-CD set) includes an extensive insert with rare photographs from the actual performances by Hal Rammel; liner notes by acclaimed author John Corbett; and interviews and statements from a who's who of music icons including Marshall Allen, David Murray, Dave Burrell, Matthew Shipp, Thurston Moore, Amina Claudine Myers, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Weiss and Reggie Workman.

Coming this fall from Fantagraphics: Art On Saturn: The Album Cover Art of Sun Ra’s Saturn Label

New/recent book that I just ordered--really looking forward to reading it: Sun Ra's Chicago: Afrofuturism and the City

This week on Night Lights it’s “Away From the Spaceways: John Gilmore.” Tenor saxophonist John Gilmore, who influenced John Coltrane and helped to pioneer the challenging techniques of 1960s avant-garde saxophone, spent most of his career with Sun Ra and his Arkestra, recording outside of Sun Ra’s band on only a handful of occasions. (Much discussion of Gilmore in the thread I started here while working on this program). His powerful, edgy style combined aspects of hardbop and outside playing; we’ll hear examples of it with pianists Andrew Hill and Paul Bley, as well as recordings that Gilmore made with McCoy Tyner, Elmo Hope, Pete LaRoca, and Art Blakey (a rare broadcast version of the ballad “I Can’t Get Started”), in addition to his 1957 Blue Note date with fellow tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan. “Away From the Spaceways” airs Saturday, October 21 at 11:05 p.m. EST on WFIU and at 9 p.m. Central Time on WNIN-Evansville. It will be posted Monday afternoon in the Night Lights archives. Next week: "Down at the 90th Floor: Dick & Kiz Harp."

Two hours ago I had a telephone call with Hartmut Geerken and he confirmed that the upcoming reissue of the Cairo Free Jazz Ensemble's "Heliopolis" is legit and mastered from the original tapes including a 30x90, 6 p. fold-out booklet. It will be edited by Holiday Records in Milan, Italy. Due to Corona restrictions it might need some time to hit the stores. I've a rip of a friend's copy and always enjoyed the music. So I've ordered it now. In the US it will be available through Forced Exposure. During our conversation he told me about two further releases. First there's a five vinyl set with the complete recordings of Sun Ra's sojourn in Egypt in 1971. Two of the five LPs contain unreleased music. Already announced on the website of Strut Records for the 2020 RSD. Plus there will be a three LP set with the complete recordings of Hartmut Geerken from his time in Cairo (1966 - 72) where he worked for Germany's Goethe Institut.

Up for the arrival day of Mr. Ra: Second Magic City: Sun Ra In Chicago

Looks interesting! A Pure Solar World: Sun Ra And The Birth Of Afrofuturism