Jazz By Sun Ra Vol 1 & 2, SAM Records

[pglbook]

I recently received copies of Jazz By Sun Ra Vol 1 & Jazz By Sun Ra Vol 2. These are the recent reissues by SAM Records. SAM Records previously reissued these in a very expensive limited edition (500 copies) in a special sleeve. The recent reissue is limited to 1000 copies each but is only 1/3 of the price of the prior more limited edition.

This is a fabulous release and belongs in any Sun Ra collection. SAM Records always does quality work and this is no exception. They even included a copy of Sun Ra's original booklet with Vol 1 in which Sun Ra explains his music philosophy and provides comments on the songs. It is a wonderful addition. Vol 2 also has a booklet but, since Volume 2 was never released by Transition, there was no original booklet for that one and the booklet that is included with Volume 2 is a recent addition, although still very nice. 

These are Sun Ra's first 2 albums (although Vol 2 came out later since the Transition label folded prior to its intended release date). The music is wonderful. Although early Sun Ra has a big band influence on many songs, you can also catch glimpses of the future Sun Ra in most songs, whether it be an emphasis on percussion or slightly altered stylizations (but of course not as "out there" as later Sun Ra). The sound quality is excellent as well. The hype sticker says that they were "remastered from the original master tapes cut by Kevin Gray" and he did an excellent job with the music. It sounds very fresh and clear and dynamic. 

I am a big Sun Ra fan and have a decent Sun Ra collection on CD and vinyl (unfortunately no original Saturn lps in my collection) and these two reissues are great additions to my, and any, Sun Ra collection.

Highly recommended.

 

edit: I just realized that this post probably belongs in the "Re-issues" thread, not the "New Releases" thread. I was going to delete it from here and post it over there. However, I could not find a way to delete it so here it stays for now. 

Edited 19 hours ago by pglbook

[Chuck Nessa]

I see they don't use the 3 bonus tracks Delmark issued.

[pglbook]

41 minutes ago, Chuck Nessa said:

I see they don't use the 3 bonus tracks Delmark issued.

That is correct. No bonus tracks on the 2 Sam Records Sun Ra reissues...just the original albums.

Most of the recent vinyl reissue series (Tone Poet, Blue Note Classic, OJC, Acoustic Sounds, Rhino HiFi, etc.) just reissue the original albums on vinyl without any bonus tracks. And Sam Records does the same.

 

Edited 17 hours ago by pglbook

[Chuck Nessa]

Not convinced less music for more money is good.

[felser]

45 minutes ago, Chuck Nessa said:

Not convinced less music for more money is good.

+1

[T.D.]

51 minutes ago, Chuck Nessa said:

Not convinced less music for more money is good.

 

5 minutes ago, felser said:

+1

It might be good for the seller. 😁

I no longer have LPs or a turntable, and am completely out of touch with the ongoing vinyl boom. But it seems like buyers of the premium vinyl reissues prefer facsimiles of the original albums w/o bonus tracks. That's OK with me.

[bertrand]

2 hours ago, Chuck Nessa said:

Not convinced less music for more money is good.

I agree. The vinyl boom has sent bonus tracks packing. That was a big attraction of CDs for me.

[pglbook]

The space limitations of vinyl records, limiting music to approx. 20-25 minutes per side, also has a lot to do with the lack of bonus tracks on new vinyl reissues. A lot of time there is no room for bonus tracks without adding a second record for the bonus material. 

An example of a recent Sun Ra reissue that did include bonus tracks is the 2024 Strange Strings Expanded Edition (2 lp). That is a wonderful album as well.

I personally like to have the album as originally released on vinyl so the lack of bonus tracks does not bother me. I also buy the Sun Ra CD reissues if it is something I may want for the bonus tracks.

[Pim]

I really like Sam records but the Artisan series is really a waste of money. The only thing you pay that +100 dollars for is the artwork.... I just wouldn't know why I would do that. Every one of them eventually gets a normal release for 30 dollars.

[pglbook]

1 hour ago, Pim said:

I really like Sam records but the Artisan series is really a waste of money. The only thing you pay that +100 dollars for is the artwork.... I just wouldn't know why I would do that. Every one of them eventually gets a normal release for 30 dollars.

I agree about the Artisan series and that is why I decided to pass on the 2 Sun R reissues (Jazz By Sun Ra Vol 1 & Vol 2) when they were first put out as part of the SAM records Artisan series. As much as I like Sun Ra, I could not justify paying $150 for each album just because it had a premium sleeve and was limited to 500 copies. 

I was surprised and very happy when SAM Records decided to later release the 2 Sun Ra records in a regular (non-Artisan series) release with a non-premium sleeve and a price 1/3 of the price of the Artisan series release. The sleeve on the regular release is still very nice and the music sounds the same on the regular release as it does on the Artisan series release (same mastering cut by Kevin Gray). 

Edited 31 minutes ago by pglbook