Sun Ra
Gilles Peterson Presents Sun Ra – To Those Of Earth And Other Planets

Sun Ra is possibly one of the most unusual if not unique figures in Jazz. His music covers a vast array of styles, recording from the 50s to the early 90s, from swing, Bop to Free and Spiritual Jazz. He was also a divisive figure. But his music is intriguing, funky at times, explorative almost always. Strut have released this two CD set comprising of 34 tracks (edited) compiled by Gilles Petersen. It is superfluous to list individual tracks, but ‘Calling Planet Earth’ is particularly rhythmic, funky and riff laden. Listening to this selection, Sun Ra, whilst embracing the avant-garde, is much misunderstood as there are moments of utter genius.