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Tyler Mitchell: Sun Ra's Journey Featuring Marshall Allen

By Mike Jurkovic
January 9, 2023
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Tyler Mitchell: Sun Ra's Journey Featuring Marshall Allen

Along with elder alum, alto saxophonist

Marshall Allen

saxophone, alto
b.1924

" data-original-title="" title="">Marshall Allen, Sun Ra's Journey Featuring Marshall Allen, the second of bassist Tyler Mitchell's deep dives into

" data-original-title="" title="">Sun Ra's master playbook, breaks glorious from the start.

As an entry into the Smalls Live Living Masters Series, this octane-infused set was recorded live in 2022 at Smalls in NYC as the city began to cautiously emerge from eighteen months of pandemic-induced nightmare and doom. "Care Free" greets all fellow Arkestra crewmen and women with a throwback groove and blast of celebration that's real hard to resist. So listen in as Sun Ra's many veering strategies spring to life. "Velvet" swings like few do and recapitulates on the energy found in abundance on Mitchell/Allen's earlier release, Dancing Shadows (Mahakala).

Allen (whose storied association with Ra stretches back to the early days) spryly twists and luges, bobs and weaves with a mischievousness that gives no nod to his years (97 at the time of recording). Setting fire to the harmonic limitlessness that both men held in high honor and practice, Allen, whether on his horn or his EVI, leads the equally grounded yet elusive horns of tenor saxophonist

Chris Hemingway

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Hemingway, alto saxophonist

Nicoletta Manzini

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicoletta Manzini, and trumpeter

Giveton Gelin

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Giveton Gelin in a gleeful rout through "Dancing Shadows," "Eddie Harris" and "Bouncing At Smalls."

Close your eyes and imagine what it must have been like for Smalls to come out of exile to witness "Cosmic Hop" and try not kicking up your heels. Tyler and his rhythm brothers—pianist

Farid Barron

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Farid Barron, drummer Wayne Smith and percussionists

Ron Mcbee

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Mcbee and

Elson Nacimento

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Elson Nacimento—punch and bolo. It's a joyous, carefree romp that blares into "Love In Outer Space" and the world is set in balance again.

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Track Listing

Care Free; Velvet; Free Ballad; Dancing Shadows; Eddie Harris; Discipline 27; Bouncing At Smalls; Skippy; New Dawn; Cosmic Hop; Love In Outer Space; Fate In A Pleasant Mood.

Personnel

Tyler Mitchell

bass

Marshall Allen

saxophone, alto

Chris Hemingway

saxophone, alto

Nicoletta Manzini

saxophone, alto

Giveton Gelin

trumpet

Farid Barron

piano

Wayne Smith Jr.

drums

Ron Mcbee

percussion

Elson Nacimento

percussion

Album information

Title: Sun Ra's Journey Featuring Marshall Allen | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Cellar Music Group

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