Sun Ra - On Jupiter LP [Strut]

Format: LP in printed sleeve.
CAT: STRUT476LP

A cosmic fusion of deep funk, interstellar jazz, and avant-garde soundscapes, On Jupiter stands as one of Sun Ra’s most iconic releases. Recorded in 1979 during a prolific period at New York’s Variety Arts Studios, this album captures the Arkestra at the height of their creative powers, combining futuristic improvisation with infectious rhythms and otherworldly textures. Sun Ra’s sessions at Variety Arts Studios (1978-1982) were legendary: he would record there two or three times a week, often after a late-night gig, gathering his musicians at 46th Street West at 10 AM for marathon sessions that stretched into the early morning hours. These recordings featured a core lineup of John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, Danny Thompson, Michael Ray, Tyrone Hill, Craig Harris, Luqman Ali, and Samarai Celestial, alongside rotating collaborators such as guitarists Skeeter McFarland and Taylor Richardson, bassist Victor Sproles, and a young Knoël Scott on saxophone and vocals.

Originally released on Sun Ra’s Saturn label, On Jupiter is a masterclass in cosmic jazz-funk. The album includes the irresistibly funky “UFO” (recorded prior to the Sleeping Beauty sessions), alongside the hypnotic and grooving title track and the expansive “Seductive Fantasy,” a mesmerizing journey through space and sound. By the late 1970s, Sun Ra embraced an even broader musical spectrum, incorporating soul, funk, and electronic fusions into the Arkestra’s ever-evolving repertoire. As disco, punk, and hip-hop transformed the cultural landscape, his “sub-subterranean” approach connected with a new generation of listeners. On Jupiter exemplifies this era: deep bass lines, sweeping horns, spatial synths, and Afrofuturist chants collide to create a truly unique sound.

Now remastered by Technology Works, Strut proudly re-releases On Jupiter on vinyl, featuring a replica of its original hand-assembled sleeve (selected from the many unique 1979 editions) and newly commissioned liner notes from Arkestra member Knoël Scott and Sun Ra expert Paul Griffiths.