TeledyN

 From what I have been able to find out, this is quite possibly the FIRST recording by the Sun Ra Orchestra (pre Arkestra). And while it has been widely thought to only have been released on 45 rpm, I have here what may be the ONLY existing copy on 78 rpm. The record is in good condition overall. ... I would probably frame this recording, rather than play it. I did play it through one time on a professional turntable with appropriate stylus... This asking price was suggested by a scholar in the field, but please feel free to make an offer that you think is fair. The following information was lifted (I hope with no problem) from Robert L. Campbell, Christopher Trent, and Robert Pruter. Thanks.

Billie Hawkins accompanied by Sun-Ra and His Orchestra

Billie Hawkins (voc); with Sun Ra (p -1, 2; Wurlitzer ep -2; arr); Art Hoyle (tp); Dave Young (tp); Julian Priester (tb); Pat Patrick (as, bars -1; bars -2); John Gilmore (ts); Wilburn Green (eb); Robert Barry (d); Jim Herndon (tymp -2).

RCA Studios, Chicago, around January 1956

G7OW-5168	I'm Coming Home (Sunny Lane-Beryl Orris) -1		Heartbeat H-3-45
G7OW-5169	Last Call for Love (Tom Seymour) -2		Heartbeat H-4-45

Our thanks to Freddie Patterson for locating the earliest known release by the Arkestra, though Sun Ra wasn't using that spelling in his publicity yet, and Heartbeat, which put out this 7 inch 45 rpm single in 1956, wasn't doing it either. The quality studio recording and matrix numbers are from RCA's Chicago operation; the matrix numbers are just a little earlier than those found on the first Arkestra single on Ra's Saturn label. Two trumpets are present, and Green is on electric bass, so this is the Arkestra after Christmas 1955.

The original labels identify Billie Hawkins as the artist and mention Sun-Ra and His Orchestra in small print underneath. All personnel were identified by rlc. In a 2003 interview, Seymour Schwartz recalled that Billie Hawkins was a sexually ambiguous male singer; Schwartz also said he wrote the tunes for the session (the “Tom Seymour” presumably refers to him, and his daughter's name is Sunny).

Now here's a phenomenon we're going to miss in the Digital Age, although I think most of the young bands these days are well aware of the rarities effect and as such, while they may give out their tracks for free on their blog, there's usually a 7" vinyl edition tailor-made for the futures market.