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Sun Ra Arkestra Under the Direction of Marshall Allen: Babylon
ByThe Arkestra has been under the direction of nonagenarian Marshall Allen since Sun Ra's death in 1993. Allen, an alto saxophonist and sideman to Ra since the 1950s, has been the keeper of the interstellar flame and face of the Arkestra. His efforts have recruited the amazing talents of Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra pianist Farid Barron and singer Tara Middleton, who fills in for the departed June Tyson.
Opening with "Astro Black," the percussive pulse propels the strength of Middleton's vocals, then the 14-piece Arkestra, beyond earth's orbit with "RA#2," a Sun Ra rehearsal piece Allen expands into a 10-minute charge with tenor saxophonist James Stuart firing his afterburners. Gone are the infamous John Gilmore, and Pat Patrick, but the new disciples are ready, willing and more than capable of this space mission.
Allen casts the music of the swing bands against his love of free blowing here. Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" is gently delivered first, with the haunting vocals of Middleton, then the Arkestra guides it to an eerie rest. No doubt, this is feel-good party music. Just like the days of old, the members of the Arkestra play music untethered by gravity and time. Ellington is referenced, as is the 1960s blues boogie of "Unmask The Batman" (on the DVD only). It was a product of a little known side project Batman And Robin where Sun played piano along with Allen. While this track is not on the original Dan & Dale recording, it was cut as a single by Ra.
The Arkestra finishes the concert like they've done, well, forever, chanting and marching through the audience. Long live Ra!
Track Listing
Astro Black; Ra #2; Saturn; Discipline 27b; Stardust; Care Free #2; Dancing Shadows; Satellites Are Spinning; Some Times I'm Happy; Unmask the Batman; Boma.
Personnel
Sun Ra Arkestra
band / ensemble / orchestraMarshall Allen: director, alto saxophone, EVI, vocals; Tara Middleton: vocals, violin; Cecil Brooks: trumpet; Vincent Chancey: French horn; Dave Davis: trombone; Knoel Scott: alto saxophone, vocals; James Stuart: tenor saxophone; Danny Ray Thompson: baritone saxophone; Farid Barron: piano; Dave Hotep: guitar; Tyler Mitchell: bass; Stanley Morgan: congas, percussion; Elson Nascimento: surdo, percussion; Wayne Anthony Smith Jr.: drums.
Album information
Title: Babylon | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: In+out record
Comments
About Sun Ra Arkestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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