Releasing their first record in over twenty years, the Sun Ra Arkestra are back with Swirling on the diverse imprint Strut Records. Fans of the band’s epic career rejoice as the maestro Marshall Allen (96 years in earth age) leads the charge with “Beta music for a better world” and the “Arkestra’s love offering to the world.” With a roster of long time players that include a line-up featuring long-standing Arkestra members including Danny Ray Thompson (RIP), Michael Ray, Vincent Chancey, Knoel Scott, Cecil Brooks, Atakatune (RIP), Elson Nascimento, and Tyler Mitchell, it’s a full-on celebration of the legacy of the great Sun Ra.
We truly hope that this recording brings much joy to a planet which is so deeply in need of a spirit sound and vibration. We hope it contributes to a change in the ominous direction of man’s journey through the cosmos.
With a plan to change man’s direction through the cosmos via this music, Swirling contains some new arrangements of the Arkestra’s best like “Angels and Demons At Play”, “Satellites Are Spinning”, Door Of The Cosmos”, and “Rocket No. 9”. as well as a lesser-known chestnut like “Darkness” “Seductive Fantasy” (1979 off of Jupiter) “Infinity/ I’ll Wait For You” and the first time ever recorded title track “Swirling”. This record was recorded at Rittenhouse Soundworks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and produced by Jim Hamilton. Although there aren’t any hand-drawn covers this time, the dope cover art is done by Lewis Heriz. For fans new and old, Swirling is definitely worthy of a spot on your record shelf. One of the longest-running bands in the world, The Sun Ra Arkestra offers up music from the cosmos. Even though he left this mortal coil in 1993, Sun Ra left the reigns to Allen, who has guided them throughout the planet, spreading love and space dust wherever they go. Listen to the record below and order after the stream.
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