A couple of weeks ago i found this mix on the Diggers With Gratitude forum, done by RCHECKA. I’m no expert on SUN RA but i think this could be a great introduction to his work. This is what RCHECKA kindly wrote about this mix:
All of the interludes are from various Sun Ra DVDs. I included them really more for educational purposes, I wanted yall to hear his voice, hear his strange philosophies, hear from his band members, and I wanted you to get an idea of the man behind the music. He is SUCH and interesting person, I could have gone on and on with even more audio snippets, but I wanted to keep the music the main theme obviously.

I thought that 2 CDs were necessary because his songs are so long.
I realize that this type of music is a “culture shock” type of mix, I expect many to “not like” some of the more dissident crazy jazz songs, but at the same time, I couldn’t leave that darker side of his work out of this compilation justifiably. Actually, each track I chose for that compilation is (IMO) the easiest to listen to most palatable jazz track of each individual album I used. I chose the LEAST loud, LEAST crazy, LEAST dark songs, so if you can imagine, his work is even more dissident then that as a whole! Every track came from a different album, so its a good taste of a variety of his more laid back work.
I hope everyone enjoys it too for what it is worth, I realize its not a “Mixtape” per say, it is what it is, a tribute to an amazing man whose music touched my heart.
Rchecka
Listen to Disc 1
1. (intro) meaning of the sun ra – adventures of bugs hunter
2. they’ll come back
3. (interlude) a joyful noise
4. a strange celestial road
5. that’s how I feel
6. (interlude) a call from ra
7. disco 3000 side a (third planet – friendly galaxy – dance of the cosmo aliens)
8. (interlude) not a man
9. on jupitor
10. (interlude) a word from john gilmore
11. twigs at twilight
12. (interlude) jazz is the triumph
13. spontaneous simplicity
14. (outro) jazz is dead
Listen to Disc 2
1. (intro) the clarification of death
2. pyramids
3. cogitation
4. (interlude) the myth
5. india
6. romance on a satalite
7. sleeping beauty
8. (interlude) humor
9. batman and robin theme
10. (interlude) music represents
11. the star gazers – shadow worlds
12. (outro) history
Mad props to Rchecka for this!
This 2 mixes are out of the hook!
Big up Rchecka.
I am honored that you posted these mixes here at music-selections.com, hope yall enjoy this music. Thanks Marty McFly!
-rchecka
Very well done indeed. I’m sure these mixes will catch the attention they deserve. You created a great atmosphere out of his music.
thanx again
peace
My thanks to you; I’ve always wanted to give Sun Ra a try but I was too scared of the vastity of his catalogue, and since I don’t believe in greatest hits made by record labels this one’s a blessing
Again, thanks a lot
One
Thanks for the kind words, I’m always down with sharing with jazz heads!
Thanks for the track list!
Thank You so much for these excellent Sun Ra mixes.
…very good!!
[...] you remember this Sun Ra tribute? It was a really pleasant and educational journey into Sun Ra music. Now, the man behind the decks [...]
needs a re-up!
The megaupload option is still up…grab it!
thank you very very much and keep ‘em comin’
Did a re-up with a direct link.
Enjoy everybody!
[...] and in general the irrational, lysergic and dreamlike atmosphere of many shots (especially when Ra is the main character). The whole movie is surreal as a Dali painting. Do I really have to spend time talking about the [...]