Swirling

"Since his death in 1993 (...), [Sun] Ra has become hailed as a pioneer of Afrofuturism, whose influence runs from Funkadelic to "Black Panther". Meanwhile Ra's band, the Arkestra, have toured tirelessly, presided over by alto saxophonist Marshall Allen, now 96. This first album in 20 years proves an inspired tribute to the master, revisiting celebrated pieces like Satellites Are Spinning, with its promise "A better day is breaking/The planet Earth's awakening", beautifully sung by violinist Tara Middleton. The vocalised, upbeat mood (Ra was essentially utopian) maintains through the bebop riff of Rocket Number Nine, and Allen's title track, whose finger-snapping big band arrangement evokes a nightclub on Mars, while the swaying Egyptian melody of Angels and Demons at Play and the foreboding Sea of Darkness come from deeper space. It's a heady brew, challenging but intoxicating. Ra always said his music was from the future - and now it has arrived".

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"Superbly representative Ra remnants under the direction of Marshall Allen".

"The group veer from the big band swing of [Marshall] Allen's title track to the spiritual psychedelia of "Rocket #9" and "Space Loneliness", each stitched together by the chanting of Tara Middleton, whose delivery on "Astro Black", accompanied only by the purr of a synthesizer, offers a moment of calm. Overall, this is a lavish, well-produced affair that still finds room for the kinks and chaos of the Arkestra".

"The Arkestra starsail magnificently: "The Satellites Are Spinning" and "Astro Black" showcase Tara Middleton's supernatural space-siren vocals, Heliocentric World-style freeform foraging flares on "Infinity/I'll Wait For You"; "The Sky Is The Sea Of Darkness" and "Space Loneliness" resonate with chants and rich brass, like a New Orleans marching band jamming with Duke Ellington at a Martian ballroom".