Sun Ra Arkestra: Lights on a Satellite review

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Sun Ra Arkestra: Lights on a Satellite review – fitting tribute to a century of jazz (In+Out) ****
As saxophonist and band leader Marshall Allen turns 100, his evergreen outfit effortlessly draw on their rich history, as classics meet the cosmic
Neil Spencer  
One way to celebrate your 100th birthday is with a new album, which is Marshall Allen’s response to his centenary. A distinctive and often wild alto saxophonist, Allen has dedicated his creative life to the Arkestra, the group founded by “cosmic jazz” pioneer Sun Ra (born Herman Blount), which he joined in 1957 and which he has directed since 1995, shortly after its founder left Earth for his preferred planet, Saturn. An Afrofuturist, Sun Ra entwined Egyptology, space travel, bebop and proto-electronica into a spellbinding whole, but behind the fancy dress and cosmic obsessions there was always a conventional, highly polished big band, owing more to Duke Ellington than to deep space.
On Lights on a Satellite, you get both sides of the Ra legacy from an immaculately recorded 24-piece band. 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 Big John’s Special, a purring piece of 1930s brass, Baby Won’t You Please Be Mine, a recently unearthed torch ballad, and even that Tin Pan Alley warhorse, Way Down Yonder in New Orleans. A century of jazz, alternately exuberant and mysterious.
from www.theguardian.com

Edited by snobb - 14 hours 4 minutes ago at 1:56pm

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snobb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Site Admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Vilnius Status: Offline Points: 29668	Post Options Post Reply Quote snobb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Sun Ra Arkestra: Lights on a Satellite review Posted: 14 hours 11 minutes ago at 1:49pm
	Sun Ra Arkestra: Lights on a Satellite review – fitting tribute to a century of jazz (In+Out) **** As saxophonist and band leader Marshall Allen turns 100, his evergreen outfit effortlessly draw on their rich history, as classics meet the cosmic Neil Spencer One way to celebrate your 100th birthday is with a new album, which is Marshall Allen’s response to his centenary. A distinctive and often wild alto saxophonist, Allen has dedicated his creative life to the Arkestra, the group founded by “cosmic jazz” pioneer Sun Ra (born Herman Blount), which he joined in 1957 and which he has directed since 1995, shortly after its founder left Earth for his preferred planet, Saturn. An Afrofuturist, Sun Ra entwined Egyptology, space travel, bebop and proto-electronica into a spellbinding whole, but behind the fancy dress and cosmic obsessions there was always a conventional, highly polished big band, owing more to Duke Ellington than to deep space. On Lights on a Satellite, you get both sides of the Ra legacy from an immaculately recorded 24-piece band. 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 Big John’s Special, a purring piece of 1930s brass, Baby Won’t You Please Be Mine, a recently unearthed torch ballad, and even that Tin Pan Alley warhorse, Way Down Yonder in New Orleans. A century of jazz, alternately exuberant and mysterious. from www.theguardian.com Edited by snobb - 14 hours 4 minutes ago at 1:56pm