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Sun Ra Arkestra: Swirling

By Chris May
November 8, 2020
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Saturn moved into the ascendant in October 2020 when the

Sun Ra Arkestra

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of alto saxophonist

" data-original-title="" title="">Marshall Allen released its first studio album in over twenty years. Swirling presents new arrangements of both well-known and more obscure Ra tunes, played by a fifteen-piece lineup which includes band veterans and relative newcomers. It is a welcome addition to the Arkestra's near seventy-year catalogue.

When Ra passed in 1993, tenor saxophonist

John Gilmore

saxophone, tenor
1931 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">John Gilmore, an on-off band member since 1953, took over as leader. When Gilmore passed in 1995, Allen, who has played with the Arkestra since 1958, assumed the mantle. He has kept the band, its book and its vibe alive through frequent US and international concert appearances ever since.

Longtime band members heard on Swirling include baritone saxophonist

Danny Ray Thompson

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Danny Ray Thompson and percussionist Stanley "Atakatune" Morgan—both of whom have passed since the album was completed—trumpeters

Michael Ray

trumpet
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Ray and

Cecil Brooks

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Brooks, alto saxophonist

Knoel Scott

saxophone, alto
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Knoel Scott, French hornist

Vincent Chancey

french horn

" data-original-title="" title="">Vincent Chancey, bassist

Tyler Mitchell

bass
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Tyler Mitchell and percussionist

Elson Nascimento

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Elson Nascimento. Tenor saxophonist

James Stewart

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">James Stewart and violinist and vocalist

Tara Middleton

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Tara Middleton are notable newer additions to the lineup.

The set list includes Arkestra evergreens "Angels And Demons At Play," "Satellites Are Spinning," "Doors Of The Cosmos" and "Rocket No. 9." Lesser known gems include "Seductive Fantasy" and "Infinity / I'll Wait For You." The blues "Darkness" is heard on record for the first time. The title track is the debut recording of a swing-era celebration written by Allen.

Perhaps in deference to Ra, or maybe just out of a love of word play, Allen calls Swirling "Beta music for a better world." You may feel "Alpha music for an alternative world" is closer to the mark.

Arkestra fans should also make sure they catch another off-planet autumn 2020 release, Berlin-based composer and multi-instrumentalist

King Khan

multi-instrumentalist

" data-original-title="" title="">King Khan's The Infinite Ones (Khannibalism), which features Marshall Allen and Knoel Scott as guests of another space-travelling ensemble.

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Track Listing

Satellites Are Spinning / Lights On A Satellite; Seductive Fantasy; Swirling; Angels And Demons At Play; Sea Of Darkness / Darkness; Rocket No. 9; Astro Black; Infinity / I��ll Wait For You; Sunology; Door Of The Cosmos / Say; Queer Notions (2xLP bonus track).

Personnel

Marshall Allen

saxophone, alto

Knoel Scott

saxophone, alto

James Stewart

saxophone, tenor

Danny Ray Thompson

saxophone, baritone

Michael Ray

trumpet

Cecil Brooks

trumpet

Vincent Chancey

french horn

Dave Davis

trombone

Farid Barron

piano

Dave Hotep

guitar

Tyler Mitchell

bass

Wayne Anthony Smith Jr

drums

Elson Nascimento

percussion

Stanley Atakatune Morgan

percussion

Tara Middleton

vocals

Album information

Title: Swirling | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Strut Records

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