Recorded in November 1957 for Transition Records. Originally released on Delmark (114) in 1968.

Personnel: Sun Ra (piano, electric piano); Clyde Williams (vocals); Pat Patrick (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); John Gilmore (tenor saxophone); Charles Davis (baritone saxophone); Dave Young, Dave Young Orchestra, David Young, Arthur Hoyle (trumpet); John Avant, Julian Priester (trombone); William "Bugs" Cochran (drums); Jim Herndon (timbales, timpani); James Herndon (percussion).

Liner Note Author: Terry Martin.

Recording information: 11/1957.

Photographer: Zbigniew Jastrzebski.

Arranger: Sun Ra.

The late pianist/bandleader/composer Sun Ra was known for his theatrical performances and for applying concepts of free jazz to a big band/orchestral context. SOUND OF JOY was recorded in 1957, during the Ra's Chicago sojourn, and is closer to the modern swinging sounds of Duke Ellington than to free jazz. Ellington was clearly an influence on Ra, and Ra combines this with the more progressive aspects of hard bop. SOUND OF JOY is ideal for Ra neophytes and Ra fans that want to hear his beginnings.

This reissue, prior to the release of many of Sun Ra's Saturn albums on Evidence CDs, was often thought of as Ra's second recording although now several earlier dates have appeared. The music from Sun Ra's Chicago-based band of the 1950s (some of the same tunes, but different performances, also appear on Evidence's Planet Earth/Low Ways) is quite interesting for its ties to the bop and swing traditions are much more obvious than it would be in the near future. Ra's eccentric piano and occasional electric keyboard look forward as do some of the harmonies and Jim Herndon's colorful tympani. Two previously unissued cuts (other versions of which have also surfaced on an Evidence set) augment the original LP program. ~ Scott Yanow