180-Gram Limited Gatefold Edition. The Magic City is a testimony of the evolution in Sun Ra's music in the mid-'60s. According to many enthusiasts and scholars, this album is among Ra's most definitive studio recordings. Although the "city" mentioned in the album's title was believed to be New York, the place where the LP was taped, in fact it refers to the leader's birthplace, Birmingham, Alabama and to a large metal sign with the words "Birmingham, The Magic City"' erected in front of the railway station in 1926. The Magic City contains just four tracks, but the title-theme lasts nearly half an hour. Then come "The Shadow World," and "Abstract Eye"/"Abstract I" which are two variants of the same composition. "These pieces are essentially ensemble improvisations recorded live", explained Lindsay Planer on AllMusic. "Any direction from Sun Ra, indicating the order of soloists for instance, would be given either through his playing or with hand signals." THE COMPLETE LP + 2 BONUS TRACKS - SPECIAL GATEFOLD EDITION - 180-GRAM VIRGIN VINYL - LIMITED EDITION
Release date:
October 18, 2024
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Firstborne Lucky
M-Theory Audio
August 8, 2025 -
Alejandro Fern?ndez De Rey A Rey [2xLP]
Universal Music Latino
July 25, 2025 -
Death Rattle The Moral Chokehold
M-Theory Audio
July 11, 2025 -
Quevedo Buenas Noches [2xLP]
Quevedo
July 18, 2025 -
Miles Kane Sunlight In The Shadows (Blue Skies)
Easy Eye Sound
October 17, 2025 -
Bostich + Fussible Tijuana Sound Machine Nortec Collective Presents
Nacional Records
August 15, 2025 -
The Shame Cutthroat (Orange)
Dead Oceans
September 5, 2025 -
Baest Colossal
Century Media
August 15, 2025 -
Dance Gavin Dance Pantheon (Cobalt/Orange Smush/Splatter) [2xLP]
Rise Records
September 12, 2025 -
Nation of Language Dance Called Memory (Clearwith Black & Blue Mix)
Sub Pop
September 19, 2025 -
Nourished by Time The Passionate Ones
Xl Recordings
August 22, 2025 -
The Smashing Pumpkins Machina (25th Anniversary) [2xLP]
Virgin Records
August 22, 2025 -
James Yorkston Songs for Nina and Johanna
Domino Record Co
August 22, 2025 -
Ups and Downs Stained Glass Memories (Random: Red, Yellow Or Blue)
Basket Case Records
July 25, 2025