The space-voices got me on a space wisdom beam, and the beam led me to Chicago. — Sun Ra, 1962

April 13, 1956, Chicago. Sun Ra and his friend and manager Alton Abraham arrive at Balkan Music Co., a small record and musical supply wholesaler at 1425 W. 18th Street, in the neighborhood now known as Pilsen. Helping the other seven musicians unload, they file into the storefront, which doubles as a recording studio, to record the first full-length session for their new label, El Saturn Records. Read more at this excellent blog.

John Corbett curates Tapestries from an Asteroid: Arkestra Art & Design 1956-1975 at ZXZW.