Jim Sullivan — U.F.O.

Originally issued in tiny quantities in 1969, U.F.O. is a hauntingly beautiful folk-rock album that blends intimate storytelling with lush arrangements. This release has been carefully restored and presented on cassette for listeners discovering Jim Sullivan’s singular record and the eerie mystery that followed his disappearance.

Background

Jim Sullivan was a West Coast singer-songwriter whose expressive, low-register voice and cinematic songwriting earned him a devoted local following. His debut album U.F.O., produced with the help of top Los Angeles session players, departs from solo acoustic fare and embraces a widescreen sound—string arrangements, Wurlitzer-driven grooves, and richly textured production give the songs an otherworldly edge.

In March 1975 Sullivan vanished while traveling through New Mexico. His car was found abandoned, his room left intact, and personal effects including his twelve-string guitar and wallet remained behind. The circumstances of his disappearance have never been resolved, adding a layer of myth to an album already steeped in atmosphere.

Recording and Reissue

U.F.O. was originally released on a small private label and largely disappeared into obscurity. Session veterans associated with the project include members of Phil Spector’s circle—Don Randi, Earl Palmer, and Jimmy Bond—whose contributions help give the record its cinematic sweep. Decades later, a dedicated reissue effort tracked down quality sources and applied careful digital mastering so the album could be heard clearly for the first time by a wider audience.

More than a curiosity, U.F.O. stands on its own as a singular piece of American pop — melancholic, imaginative, and oddly luminous. Enjoy the music, even as the mystery remains.

Watch The Jim Sullivan Story on YouTube