Artist profile · 04/07/2026
Sun Ra
- 20
- Albums on Vinyles.com
- 531k
- Last.fm listeners
- 9M
- Last.fm plays
About
Sun Ra, Pioneering cosmic jazz from Birmingham to the universe.
Known for his cosmic philosophy and experimental sound, Sun Ra led his Arkestra to create over two hundred recordings, largely on his Saturn label. His style blends free jazz and jazz fusion with a distinct spiritual and space-age aesthetic that challenged traditional jazz boundaries.
Vinyl collectors will find a rich discography with numerous reissues and original pressings, highlighted by albums such as 'Cosmos', 'Astro Black', and 'Jazz By Sun Ra Vol. 1'. His releases often feature unique pressings, including stereo, mono, quadraphonic, and colored vinyl editions.
Discography
Sun Ra discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume 1
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 5
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
Rocket Number Nine Take Off for the Planet Venus
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Monorails and Satellites, Volume 2
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Nothing Is…
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 3
- CD 4
- Cassette
Monorails and Satellites
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
The Antique Blacks
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 3
- CD 1
- Cassette
What's New?
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
The Soul Vibrations of Man
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
St. Louis Blues: Solo Piano
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Aurora Borealis
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Oblique Parallax
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Just Friends
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Ra to the Rescue
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 3
- CD 1
- Cassette
Hiroshima
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Outer Reach Intensity-Energy
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
When Spaceships Appear
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Hidden Fire 1
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Hidden Fire 2
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Blue Delight
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
Purple Night
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
Solo Piano, Volume 1
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Concert for the Comet Kohoutek
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette
Somewhere Else
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Janus
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette
The Great Lost Sun Ra Albums
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Nuits de la Fondation Maeght Vol.1
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 4
- CD 1
- Cassette
Nuits de la Fondation Maeght Vol.2
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
Piano Recital: Teatro la Fenice
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Spaceship Lullaby
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Heliocentric Worlds, Volume 3: The Lost Tapes
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Intergalactic Research
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
The Creator of the Universe
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
The Shadows Took Shape
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Live At The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto 1978
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Live in Cleveland
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Live in Rome
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
The Road to Destiny
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Space Probe: A Tonal View of Times Tomorrow, Vol. 1
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Sign Of The Myth
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
In Some Far Place: Roma '77
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Crystal Spears
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette
“Of Abstract Dreams”
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Haverford College 1980 - Solo Rhodes Piano
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Solo Keyboards, Minnesota 1978
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Solo Piano at WKCR, 1977
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Ellingtonia, Vol. 1
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Inside The Light World: Sun Ra Meets The OVC
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Kingdom of Discipline
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Somewhere in Space
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Stray Voltage
Sun Ra
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Sun Ra
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01Tapestry from an Asteroid
- 02Enlightenment
- 03Space Is The Place
- 04Hour of Parting
- 05Nuclear War
- 06Door of the Cosmos
- 07Door To The Cosmos - Mixed
- 08Saturn
Essentials
3 Sun Ra albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 1976A studio album featuring seven tracks that mix free and spiritual jazz; original German and French pressings are actively sought after.
7 tracksStereoFree JazzOriginal German pressing available
#2 · 1973Combines free jazz and space-age sounds across four tracks; US original stereo and quadraphonic pressings command collector interest.
4 tracksStereo & QuadraphonicFree Jazz, Space-AgeImpulse! label
#3 · 1957Early post-bop album showcasing ten tracks of Sun Ra’s evolving sound; highly valued for its rarity and historic significance.
10 tracksPost BopTransition labelRare early LP
Go further
Artists similar to Sun Ra
Artists who share part of Sun Ra's musical DNA.
B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Sun Ra
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
1976 'Cosmos' Original Pressing
The German original pressing of 'Cosmos' on Cobra label, catalog number B 60005, is a prized collector’s item with a market price topping €50 in recent listings.
'Astro Black' US Stereo Quadraphonic Edition
Released on Impulse! in 1973, this version of 'Astro Black' features stereo and quadraphonic sound formats under catalog AS-9255, attracting serious audiophiles.
Sun Ra's Extensive Recording Output
Sun Ra and his Arkestra recorded over two hundred albums, predominantly released on his Saturn label, highlighting prolific creativity from the late 1950s onwards.
"I just want to play the music of the future, the sound of outer space."— Sun Ra
'Jazz By Sun Ra Vol. 1' from 1957
A pivotal early album on Transition label, this release showcases a transition in Sun Ra's style blending post-bop with his unique vision, comprising 10 tracks.
Sun Ra vinyl discography
See allPre-order Do The Impossible - Original Soundtrack
Sun Ra
Free JazzJazz/Blues
2026-06-12MODERN HARMONICFrom$35.90
2 offersSound Sun Pleasure!! + We Travel The Space Ways
Sun Ra
Free JazzJazz/Blues
2026-06-12IntermusicFrom$22.15
1 offerLights On A Satellite: Live At The Left Bank
Sun Ra
Free JazzJazz/Blues
2024-11-29RESONANCE RECORDSFrom$34.99
2 offers
Sun Ra CDs
See allDo The Impossible - Original Soundtrack
Sun Ra
Free JazzJazz/Blues
2026-06-12MODERN HARMONICFrom$24.90
2 offersIt's After The End of The World
Sun Ra
Jazz Rock / Fusion / FunkJazz/Blues
2025-01-17VERYCORDSFrom$23.44
1 offerLights On A Satellite: Live At The Left Bank
Sun Ra
Jazz/Blues
2024-11-29RESONANCE RECORDSFrom$23.56
1 offer
Recommended accessories
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$24.99
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$21.99
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$14.99
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$21.99
View on Amazon
FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who was Sun Ra and where was he born?
Sun Ra was an American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1914.
What genres of jazz did Sun Ra explore?
His work covers free jazz, jazz fusion, avant-garde jazz, and post-bop, often incorporating experimental and space-themed elements.
Which Sun Ra vinyl albums are notable for collectors?
Noteworthy albums include 'Cosmos' (1976), 'Astro Black' (1973), and 'Jazz By Sun Ra Vol. 1' (1957), available in various original and reissued formats.
What formats are common among Sun Ra's vinyl releases?
Sun Ra’s albums were released in LP format, including mono, stereo, quadraphonic, gatefold sleeves, and sometimes limited edition colored vinyl.
Are there original Sun Ra pressings available in France?
Yes, 'Cosmos' was released in France in 1976 on Cobra label with catalog numbers COB 37001 and COB 37.001, with several copies available on the collector market.
Where can one find affordable Sun Ra vinyl in France?
The French reissues and some original pressings circulate on various marketplaces, often priced between €30 to €50 depending on condition and rarity.
How did Sun Ra influence jazz music?
He expanded jazz's boundaries through cosmic themes, experimental arrangements, and pioneering free jazz and fusion styles with his Arkestra.
Is Sun Ra's music still played today?
Yes, his music enjoys continued appreciation among jazz enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, with daily streaming and vinyl sales tracking ongoing.
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.