The Circling Sun: Orbits

The Circling Sun plays spiritual jazz with reverence and a sense of reverie. Formed in Tāmaki Makaurau (the Māori name for Auckland, New Zealand), the seven- member ensemble crafts rich tapestries that stretch to the stars with feet planted firmly on the dancefloor. Their sophomore full-length album, Orbits, finds the collective coming into its own, expanding the sonic spaceways they first explored on Spirits (Soundway Records, 2023).

Finn Scholes' vibraphone is a tone setter for much of the record, making its first statement on the album opening "Constellation." Waves of cymbal crashes from Julien Dyne propel powerful solos from Joe Kaptein (piano) and J.Y. Lee (saxophone). "Seki" wanders into the Arkestra's galaxy, bending time over a meditative Afro-Cuban groove. "Amina" flirts with neo-soul and acid jazz. Layers of percussion on "Mizu" and "Flying" reference the Brazilian jazz of Airto and Azymuth, as flutes glide by whirling arpeggiated synths.

Throughout Orbits, the aptly named Love Affinity Choir adds ethereal vocals, stargazing in the manner of their afro-futurist forebears. On "Teeth," their voices dance around the modal pulse of Ben Turua's bass, a gentle sway that prompts Scholes to switch to trumpet. On "Mizu," the choir, led by producer/composer Kenny Sterling, draws lineage to Brazilian vocalist Milton Nascimento's work with Wayne Shorter. "Evening" closes the album with a nod to Martin Denny and late-night lounging.

As advertised, The Circling Sun is a sonic collective, and the instrumentalists' other projects are worth acknowledging. Scholes' Carnivorous Plant Society does indie rock meets cinematic jazz, another intriguing ensemble worth checking out. Turua, Dyne, and Lee all play in the jazzy hip-hop ensemble Avantdale Bowling Club. Julien Dyne is an acclaimed producer, crafting deep grooved dance music.

Together, their work as The Circling Sun carries the torch of genre-blending mid-70s spiritual jazz and puts Tāmaki Makaurau on the global groove map. Orbits invites listeners to explore expansive rhythms, high-energy improvisations, and space as the birthplace of endless inspiration.

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