PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition
The iconic musician and thinker, Sun Ra [1914 to 1993] resided in Philadelphia; a city that he both loved and despised for 25 years. Many Philadelphia artists have been influenced by his artistry and philosophies. Perhaps his greatest achievement is his own record company which recorded and documented his music and ideas for almost 50 years.
Celebrating that independent spirit, we announce the PJP Mixtape Series-Sun Ra Edition. Bringing together rappers, poets, singers, turntablists and musicians, we were granted permission by the Sun Ra Estate to sample some of his music and to remix, or create new works. The series, which is available to the public as a free download, is an opportunity for you to check out the enduring musical and cultural impact of one of America's greatest artists; Sun Ra.
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE PARTICIPANT BIOS CLICK HERE
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE
PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition #7 - January 2017
1. Space Is The Place (In My Mind) by B.i.DOUBLLE
Written & Performed by B.i.DOUBLLE
Alto Saxophone: Larry Price
Produced by Ras1 for Ras1 Produkshons
Recorded in Ras1 Sound HQ in NYC and at Spice House Sound, Philadelphia; 2016
2. Over The Rainbow by Nasir Dickerson
Written by Harold Arlen/Arranged by Nasir Dickerson
Tenor Saxophone: Nasir Dickerson
Recorded at Dickerson Sound Studio, December 2016;
3. Friend And Friendship by Three Bones
Written by Sun Ra / Arranged by Dan Blacksberg
Dan Blacksberg: Trombone, Frank Rein: Trombone, Connor Przybyszewski: Trombone,
Sonny Sunkett: Bass, Kim Pedro Rodriguez: Drums
Recorded at Spice House Sound, November 2016;
4. Close Encounter by Bernard Collins
Written & performed by Bernard Collins
Alto Saxophone: Matthew Clayton
Produced by SkipTheSampler
Recorded at Linasha Studios and Monumental Concepts Studio, 2015 & 2016;
5. Fresh Caught - Part #2 by Raymond A. King
Piano: Raymond A. King
Recorded at Linasha Studios, Philadelphia May 2015;
6. Somebody Call Sun Ra by Bernard Collins
Written by Doughtry "Doc" Long
Vocals: Bernard Collins; Congas, Triangle & Bongos: Tom Lowery
Produced by SkipTheSampler
Recorded at Linasha Studios and Spice House Sound, 2016;
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE PARTICIPANT BIOS CLICK HERE
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE
PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition #6 - December 2016
1. When The Sun Dies by Sonni Dey
Written by Homer Jackson
Sonni Dey: Vocals
Produced by Skip The Sampler
Recorded at Painted Bride Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA; March 2002
2. Out Of This World by Steve Gokh
Written by Harold Arlen / Arranged by John Coltrane
Steve Gokh: Tenor Saxophone, Sonny Sunkett: Bass, Kim Pedro Rodriguez: Drums
Recorded at Spice House Sound, November 2016;
3. Untitled by Space Whale Orchestra
Composed & performed by Space Whale Orchestra
Erica Corbo: Keyboards, Frank Rein: Trombone, Ted Schneider: Alto Sax
Recorded live at East Park Reservoir, Fairmount Park Philadelphia, as part of Jazz Walk: Giant Steps - An Event in Coltrane At 90: Philadelphia Celebrates John Coltrane; September 17, 2016;
4. Leo by Terry Lawson & Alan Nelson
Written by John Coltrane
Terry Lawson: Tenor Saxophone, Alan Nelson: Drums, Gerald Roberts: Percussion & Bells,
Recorded live at East Park Reservoir, Fairmount Park Philadelphia, as part of Jazz Walk: Giant Steps - An Event in Coltrane At 90: Philadelphia Celebrates John Coltrane; September 17, 2016;
5. Stardust by Kevin Valentine
Written by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Mitchell Parish
Kevin Valentine: Vocals, Gerald "Twig" Smith: Guitar
Recorded at Boom Room Studio, December 2016;
6. Evidence Of Things Unseen by Kim Pedro Rodriguez
Composed & performed by Kim Pedro Rodriguez
Kim Pedro Rodriguez: Drums
Recorded at Spice House Sound, June 2016;
7. Meteor: The Hard Rock by Raphael Xavier
Written & Performed by Raphael Xavier
Paul Giess: Trumpet; Guitar Solo by Dan Hanrahan
Produced by Skip The Sampler
Recorded at My Spot & Not Yours Studio, December 2016;
8. Vanish In Our Sleep by 4 Divas
Written by William "Bootsy" Collins & George Clinton
Produced by Dm Hotep
Featuring: Saudah Al Akbar, Tara Middleton, Bethlehem Robeson & Jay Sanders: Vocals
Dm Hotep: Guitars & Bass, Kim Pedro Rodriguez: Drums;
Poetry written by Homer Jackson & performed by V. Shayne Frederick
Mixed by Homer Jackson & James Solomon
Recorded at Spice House Sound, June 2016;
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE PARTICIPANT BIOS CLICK HERE
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE
PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition #5 - December 2016
1. From Space Cometh Grace by Leonard Belasco
Poetry written & performed by Leonard Belasco
Terry Lawson: Tenor Saxophone
Produced by Skip The Sampler
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
2. Saturn by Terry Lawson & Alan Nelson
Written by John Coltrane
Terry Lawson: Tenor Saxophone, Alan Nelson: Drums, Gerald Roberts: Percussion & Bells,
Recorded live at East Park Reservoir, Fairmount Park Philadelphia, as part of Jazz Walk: Giant Steps - An Event in Coltrane At 90: Philadelphia Celebrates John Coltrane; September 17, 2016;
3. Sun Ra Is Naked On The Waterfront by Sherman Fleming
Produced by Sherman Fleming
Recorded at Endurance Space, Philadelphia, PA; June 2016
4. Moonlight In Vermont by Farid Barron featuring Lotus Barron - vocals
Written by John Blackburn & Karl Suessdorf
Farid Barron: Keyboards, Lotus Barron Vocals
Recorded at Turtle Studios in June of 2014
5. Spiritual Being by DJ EAR 2 EAR
Featuring The Voice of Sun Ra
Produced by DJ EAR 2 EAR for JusListen Entertainment
Recorded at JusListen Studios in May of 2016
6. On The Allure by The Price-Speaks-Diehl Trio
Written by Nimrod Speaks
Larry Price: Alto Sax, Nimrod Speaks: Bass, Kevin Diehl: Drums,
Recorded at WRTI Studios in February of 2016
7. News From Neptune by Dm Hotep
Produced by Dm Hotep
Based on the song, Neptune and incorporates the poem, The Cosmic Age, both written by Sun Ra; Dm Hotep: Guitar, Percussion, Synthesizers & Electronics, Tara Middleton: Vocals
Recorded in Akimbo Research Lab in June of 2016
8. Untitled by Space Whale Orchestra
Composed by Space Whale Orchestra
Erica Corbo: Keyboards, Frank Rein: Trombone, Ted Schneider: Alto Sax
Recorded live at East Park Reservoir, Fairmount Park Philadelphia, as part of Jazz Walk: Giant Steps - An Event in Coltrane At 90: Philadelphia Celebrates John Coltrane; September 17, 2016;
9. Outta Space Is by B.i.DOUBLLE
Written & performed by B.i.DOUBLLE
Produced by Ras1 for Ras1 Produkshons
Trumpet Solo: Paul Giess
Recorded in Ras1 Sound HQ in NYC in March of 2016
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE PARTICIPANT BIOS CLICK HERE
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE
PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition #4 - November 2016
1. The Space Ghost by Lamont Dixon & Ella Gahnt
Poetry written & performed by Lamont Dixon, Ella Gahnt: Vocals
Produced by Skip The Sampler
Recorded at LynnAsha Studios, Philadelphia, PA; May 2015
2. Part Planet by Lloyd Lawrence
Produced by Lloyd Lawrence
Recorded at His Home Studio, NYC; January 2016
3. Melody X by Owen “Fiidla” Brown & Urban Classique
Owen "Fiidla "Brown: Violin, Keyboards, Percussion & Vocals; Tiffany Williams: Lead Vocals & Viola; Michael Ireland: Violin; Derek Washington: Violin; Al Hunter: Flute; Ginger Smith: Cello; Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March & April 2015
4. Precision & Discipline by D. Sabela Grimes
Produced by D. Sabela Grimes
Recorded at Sound Abuse Garage, Los Angeles, CA; May 2016
5. Endless Universe - Poetry by Sun Ra
6. How High The Moon by Chris Stevens (featuring Micah Smith - Vocals)
Written by Morgan Lewis & Nancy Hamilton
Chris Stevens: Trumpet, Micah Smith: Vocals, Brett Kinard: Keyboards, Jonathan Smith: Bass, Marlon Lewis: Drums; Recorded at Arch Street Meetinghouse, Philadelphia, PA; April 2016
7. Spontaneous Mind - Poetry by Sun Ra
8. All by V. Shayne Frederick
Written by Horace Silver
V. Shayne Frederick: Piano & Voice
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
9. Celestial Epiphany by Pheralyn Dove
Written & performed by Pheralyn Dove
Produced by Skip The Sampler
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; April 2015
10. Flame by Damani Lopez
Produced by Damani Lopez
11. Why Are They Out To Kill The Kids by Darius Lantz
Written & performed by Darius Lantz
Produced by Arckatron
Recorded at BoomRoom Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE PARTICIPANT BIOS CLICK HERE
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE
PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition #3 - May 2016
1. Forbidden by Sandra Turner-Barnes
Sandra Turner-Barnes: Voice/Poetry
Recorded at The Boom Room Studio, Philadelphia, PA; July 2015
Produced by Skip The Sampler
2. Part 1 – Excerpt by RAK Quartet
From When Monk Fell, Down Who Stood Up?
Raymond A. King: Piano, Terry Lawson: Tenor Sax, Bert Harris: Bass, Lamar Prince: Drums; Recorded at Turtle Studios, Phila., PA; in August 2015
Produced by PJP / PhillyCAM / Turtle Studios
3. Creation's Call by Samurai Celestial
From the 1997 CD, Cosmic Gold Millennium
Samarai Celestial: Drums, Piano, Instruments, Keyboards, Vocals, Jason Oettel: Acoustic Bass, Bobby Zankel: Alto Sax, Rick Iannacone: Guitar, Tyrone Hill: Trombone; Recorded in June & August 1995
4. Thought Creatures (alternate take) by Bushmeat
taken from Discipline 99.::.The RaMix Series
Original music composed and performed by Thomas Stanley (a/k/a Bushmeat)
Recitation of Sun Ra poem by Paula Stanley
Produced by Thomas Stanley
5. Fly Me to the Moon by Michael Andrews & Alfie Pollitt
Michael Andrews: Vocals; Alfie Pollitt: Keyboards
Recorded at The Boom Room Studio, Philadelphia, PA; July 2015
6. You Fell Out A Dream by HAL 2016 w/ Kim Pedro
HAL 2016: Synths, Programming; Kim Pedro: Drums
Recorded at The Boom Room Studio, Philadelphia, PA; April 2016
Produced by Skip The Sampler
7. Saints by Damani Lopez
Produced by Damani Lopez
8. Melanin Messiahs by Ram Riches
Terry Lawson: Tenor Sax
Recorded at The Boom Room Studio, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
Produced by Skip The Sampler
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE PARTICIPANT BIOS CLICK HERE
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE
PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition #2 - March 2016
1. Defenders of the Republic by Defenders of the Republic
Taji Nahl: Voice, June Lopez: Samplers & Synthesizers
Produced by June Lopez
2. The Sunny-Side of the Street by Michael Cemprola
Michael Cemprola: Tenor Sax, Tim Brey: Piano, Madison Rast: Bass, Wayne Smith Jr: Drums; Recorded at Free Library of Philadelphia, PA; October 2014
3. Cosmic Law by Matt Swayzie
Matt Swayzie: Vocals, Terry Lawson: Tenor Sax
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios & BoomRoom Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
Produced by Brian Thompson aka Elev8te
4. The Specimen’s Sun Rise by Julia Lopez
Julia Lopez: Writer & Vocals, Brent White: Trombone, Ryan Frazier: Trumpet
Created from samples of Sonic Liberation Front’s,“JetWay Confidential #3” (for Sun Ra) Written & Produced by Kevin Diehl; Recorded at Lynasha Studios & TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
Produced by Skip The Sampler
5. Does Matter Really Matter At All by Parris Love’
Written by Horace Silver
Parris Love’: Vocals
Alfie Pollitt: Keyboards
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
6. Excerpt from the poem, The Air Spiritual Man written by Sun Ra
7. Call For All Demons by The West Philadelphia Orchestra
Elliott Levin: Poetry & Tenor Sax, Greg Mervine: Band Leader & Percussion
Produced by Greg Mervine
8. Hot by Raphael Xavier
Recorded at The Lab, Philadelphia, PA; Fall 2014
Produced by Raphael Xavier
9. The Sound I Hear, a poem written by Sun Ra
10. Cosmic Law [The Instrumental]
Terry Lawson: Tenor Sax
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; April 2015
Produced by Brian Thompson aka Elev8te
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE PARTICIPANT BIOS CLICK HERE
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE
PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition #1 - May 2015
1. Maggot Brain by Eye2Eye Trio
Bert Harris: Bass, Elliott Levin: Tenor Sax & Flute, Kimpedro Rodriguez: Drums;
Recorded at BoomRoom Studios, Philadelphia, PA; April 2015
2. Icarus On Locust Walk by Alonzo Jennings
Alonzo Jennings: Voice
Ryan Frazier aka Heru Shabaka-ra:: Trumpet solo
Produced by SkiptheSampler
Recorded at Lynasha Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
3. Muck Muck by Yolanda Wisher
Yolanda Wisher: Voice
Produced by DJ Kid Charlamange
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
4. Eternal Question by Owen “Fiidla” Brown & Urban Classique
Owen "Fiidla "Brown: Violin, Keyboards, Percussion & Lead Vocals; Michael Ireland: Violin; Derek Washington: Violin; Al Hunter: Flute; Ginger Smith: Cello;
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March & April 2015
5. Afroblackluscious by El David & Lloyd Lawrence
Laura-Meja-Olivera: Vocals
Produced by El David & Lloyd Lawrence
Recorded at ElKat Studios, Bronx, NY; January 2015
6. The Black Hole by Ram Riches
Ram Riches: Voice
Ryan Frazier aka Heru Shabaka-ra: Trumpet solo
Produced by SkiptheSampler
Recorded at Lynasha Studios & BoomRoom Studios, Philadelphia, PA; November 2014 & March 2015
7. Unmask The Myths by Darius Lantz
Darius Lantz: Voice
Produced by Arckatron
Recorded at BoomRoom Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
8. Black Sun Rise by TwizzMatic, Chris Vance & Jacqueline Constance
TwizzMatic, Chris Vance & Jacqueline Constance: Vocals
Fred Adams: Trumpet solo
Produced by TwizzMatic,
Recorded at BoomRoom Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
9. Forever Is A Long Long Time by V. Shayne Frederick
Written by Horace Silver
V. Shayne Frederick: Piano & Voice
Recorded at TidbiT SonoS Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
10. If They Push That Button, Go Fly A Kite by Gary Dann
Produced by Gary Dann
Recorded at BoomRoom Studios, Philadelphia, PA; March 2015
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE PARTICIPANT BIOS CLICK HERE
FOR SUN RA MIXTAPE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE
Executive Producer: Homer Jackson
Supervising Producer: SkiptheSampler
Graphic Design: Lynn Washington
Cover Photography: H. Alonzo Jennings
(Image shot in 1976 in Germantown, Philadelphia at Vernon Park)
Special Thanks: The Sun Ra Estate, Irwin Chusid, Michael Anderson, J. Michael Harrison, James Solomon, Nija Walker, Bobby Zankel, Jay Levin, Agent Zero, Gary Dann, Eric Bogacz, Anthony Tidd, Dmani Lopez, Asha Jackson, Julia Lopez, Melissa Talley Palmer, Gail Fountaine.
For more information about Sun Ra:
▪ Sun Ra Estate Website
▪ Sun Ra Arkestra Website
▪ Sun Ra Facebook
▪ Mission Creep Sun Ra Resources
▪ Pitchfork's Essential Sun Ra Music
▪ The Sun Ra Music Archive
▪ Perfect Sound Forever Sun Ra Article
▪ University of Chicago Sun Ra Exhibit
