Top tracks — play these first
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Brainville Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Call for All Demons — This track exemplifies Sun Ra's ability to blend complex rhythms with an otherworldly atmosphere, showcasing his unique vision of jazz as a cosmic experience.
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Street Named Hell — With its haunting melodies and dissonant harmonies, this track stands out for its evocative depiction of existential struggles, reflecting the darker themes present in Sun Ra's work.
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Swing a Little Taste — This piece merges traditional swing rhythms with avant-garde elements, illustrating Sun Ra's innovative approach to blending different jazz styles into a cohesive sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThis album's innovative structures and improvisational style mark it as a significant work in avant-garde jazz.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections where instruments engage in call-and-response patterns, creating a dynamic conversation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo cosmic exploration
- immersive groove-driven listening experience
- unexpected rhythms for deep focus
- thoughtful soundscapes for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer straightforward, catchy tunes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Showcased Sun Ra's innovative jazz approach, influencing future genres.
- Career context
- Released in 1957, Jazz by Sun Ra marked a significant moment in the artist's career as it showcased his innovative approach to jazz, following the formation of the Arkestra. This album came shortly after his first recordings for Saturn Records, positioning him as a pioneering figure in the avant-garde movement.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ornette Coleman· Pharoah Sanders· Albert Ayler
Tracklist
- 1 Brainville Start here 4:13
- 2 Call for All Demons 5:15
- 3 Transition 3:41
- 4 Possession 4:57
- 5 Street Named Hell 3:39
- 6 Lullaby for Realville 4:42
- 7 Future 2:54
- 8 Swing a Little Taste 4:25
- 9 New Horizons 3:05
- 10 Fall Off the Log 3:59
- 11 Sun Song 3:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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