Marshall Allen's Ghost Horizons: Live in Philadelphia

In 2025, the Collegium Cardinalium, or College of Cardinals—a body formed in the Middle Ages—convened a conclave in Rome to elect a new Pope for the Catholic Church. Nearly five centuries before the inception of such conclaves, Tibetan Buddhists established their own process of succession by searching for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, often discovered in the form of a child. These spiritual traditions of succession are vital for preserving the identity, rituals and philosophies of their institutions. Each new leader brings a unique temperament, vision and vitality to the role.

Since the passing of Sun Ra in 1993, leadership of the Arkestra transitioned to saxophonist Marshall Allen. Born in 1924, Allen became a core member of the Arkestra in the late 1950s and has since embodied its cosmic mission with unwavering dedication. From their base in Philadelphia, Allen has continued to lead and shape the Arkestra's direction, bridging eras while remaining true to its celestial ethos.

As Allen approached his centennial, doctors advised against his travel outside of Philadelphia. In response, Ars Nova Workshop launched the Ghost Horizons concert series—a project curated by longtime Arkestra guitarist DM Hotep. Designed to showcase Allen's boundless creativity, the series featured a rotating ensemble of Arkestra members alongside a roster of handpicked guest artists.

Under Allen's stewardship, the Arkestra has released a series of excellent recordings that celebrate Sun Ra's enduring legacy, including Live at Babylon (In+Out, 2015), Swirling (Strut/Art Yard, 2020) and Lights on a Satellite (In+Out, 2024). In a surprising milestone, Allen also released his debut solo album, New Dawn (Week-End Records), in 2024. Ghost Horizons—though clearly infused with Sun Ra's astral DNA—extends far beyond homage. It is a forward-looking document of Allen's 21st-century vision, charged with the vitality of an artist still reaching for the stars.

That vision is amplified by an eclectic lineup of guest artists. Jazz luminaries such as William Parker, James Brandon Lewis, Immanuel Wilkins, Eric Revis, Luke Stewart and Chad Taylor are joined by genre-defying figures like James McNew (Yo La Tengo), Tcheser Holmes (Irreversible Entanglements), Mikel Patrick Avery (Joshua Abrams's Natural Information Society), Charlie Hall (The War on Drugs), and experimentalists John Olson and Nate Young of wolf eyes. Drawn from two years of performances at the Solar Myth jazz club in Philadelphia, the music moves between space-jazz processions like "Tachyons Flux From the Cosmic Blueprints" and earth-shaking, bass-heavy tracks like "The Hills." Allen's presence is unmistakable—his darting alto saxophone lines and playful Casio VL-Tone work permeate each piece.

Ghost Horizons also challenges Allen with soundscapes beyond the Arkestra's traditional orbit. "Square the Circle" evokes the exploratory rock textures of 1970s Pink Floyd, while "Warn Them" dives headfirst into harsh, circuit-bending electronics—both serve as launchpads for Allen's piercing, rapid-fire saxophone. The program zigs and zags through percussion-rich odysseys like "Cosmic Dreamers, Ode to Elegua," the swinging abstraction of "We'll Wait for You/Hit That Jive, Jac," the dreamy introspection of "Slip Stream" and "The Last Transmissions."

At once retrospective and relentlessly forward-facing, Ghost Horizons affirms that even at a century of life, Marshall Allen remains a vital, visionary force—pushing boundaries, inspiring new generations and proving that cosmic music knows no expiration date.