Sun Ra Arkestra - Lights On A Satellite [CD]

IN & OUT RECORDS

£14.42

Cat. no: IOR771582
Format: CD
Barcode: 798747715829
Release Date: 29 Nov 2024
Genre: Jazz

'Lights On A Satellite' pays tribute to the life's work of Marshall Allen, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 25, 2024

Recorded in Studio A at New York's Power Station on June 16, 2024, the album celebrates the exceptional musician's mastery as a multi- instrumentalist, arranger, bandleader, teacher and custodian of Sun Ra's legacy.

As if from the farthest reaches of space, a tremendous positive energy has come to us via "Light on a Satellite": It is Sun Ra's music, played by his Arkestra, more than 30 years after the legendary band founder's earthly demise - or, in other words, after his reported ascent to Saturn. Under the direction of Marshall Allen, the NEA Jazz Master (2025) and multi-instrumentalist, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 25, 2024, Sun Ra's big band has arrived safely in the 21st century, after traveling Sun Ra's space ways for almost 70 years. This album pays tribute to the lifetime achievement of Marshall Allen, who leads the Sun Ra Arkestra since 1993. Recorded in Studio A at New York's Power Station on June 16, 2024, the album celebrates the mastery of the exceptional musician Marshall Allen as a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, bandleader, teacher, and guardian of Sun Ra's unique legacy.

As a tribute to the life's work of Marshall Allen, Frank Kleinschmidt of IN+OUT Records
invited the Sun Ra Arkestra into the studio with 24 musicians in the largest possible
line- up, with the goal of documenting the music in its polyphony and expansion in
space and time in the best possible way. It is not only the variety of instruments used,
but also the fact that musicians from four generations come together with a repertoire that spans 100 years of jazz history.

Press:

"A hefty amount of Sun Ra classics make the cut - including 'Images' and 'Reflects Motion' - but the true gem comes to us in the form of the previously unrecorded track,

'Baby Won't You Please Be Mine', brought to scintillating life here as a fantastic blues inspired number...Marshall Allen has led the charge with competence, excellence and an unrivalled class that 'Lights on a Satellite' rightly celebrates." ***** UK Vibe

"The title track is led by Allen's restless, writhing sax into an ominous, slow-building piece pierced by frenzied solos, in contrast to Friendly Galaxy, an easy- going romp shimmering with outer planetary effects. Alternately comes Baby Won't You Please Be Mine, a recently unearthed torch ballad...A century of jazz, alternately exuberant and mysterious." **** The Observer

"The Arkestra leader gamely leads his multi-generational 24-piece troop through peak catalogue picks, his skittering screeching alto sax orbiting the languid title track before revealing mysterious hidden dimensions to old- stager Tapestry from an Asteroid." **** MOJO

"Sun Ra's power exists, in part, due to the polyphonic sweep of his influences, expertly bridging the swinging big band of his first life as Herman Blount with the far out, cosmic explorations of his second coming as Saturn's son. That breadth is lovingly captured here, a fitting tribute to Allen's own terrific musicianship, intuitive leadership of the band and continued stewardship of Ra's music." 8/10 Uncut

"A gleefully swinging 2024 incarnation of the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra heralds the still-active presence of remarkable saxophonist/leader Marshall Allen's 100th year on this planet." The Guardian

"When you reach 100 you are entitled to have a party and that is one way to view this album, this music. It is full of joy, celebration and creativity. Each piece is refreshingly different." Jazz Views

"There are informative sleeve notes by author Sibylle Zerr and the vinyl looks good and sounds superb. Produced by Frank Kleinschmidt, who has had a forty year relationship with the Arkestra, this is clearly a labour of love." UK Jazz News

CD Tracks: Lights On A Satellite / Dorothy's Dance / Big John's Special / Images / Friendly Galaxy / Baby Won't You Please Be Mine / Holiday For Strings / Tapestry From An Asteroid / Refects Motion / Way Down Yonder In New Orleans