Sun Ra Arkestra‘s first new album in over 20 years will feature the legendary jazz group revisiting compositions from the band’s late leader. In anticipation of Swirling, due out on October 9th, the band has shared a new take on “Angels And Demons At Play”.
The new record will find the band, now led by Marshall Allen, revisiting Sun Ra standards including “Door of the Cosmos”, “Satellites Are Spinning”, “Rocket No. 9” and more. Additionally, Swirling will include the first-ever recording of Sun Ra’s “Darkness”, which was found following his passing in 1993, as well as Allen’s own “Swirling”. The group’s first album since 1999’s Song for the Sun will also feature compositions from Arkestra saxophonist Danny Ray Thompson, who died in March, as well as percussionist Atakatune, who died in 2018.
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“Angels And Demons At Play”, released today, finds the pioneering experimental jazz ensemble taking on the titular track from Sun Ra’s 1965 album. While it’s been over half a century since this song was originally released, Sun Ra Arkestra still approaches the composition with the same kind of avant garde energy that made Sun Ra such a formidable force of experimental music throughout the 20th century.
“We truly hope that this recording brings much joy to a planet which is so deeply in need of a spirit sound and vibration,” saxophonist Knoel Scott said of the new album. “We hope it contributes to a change in the ominous direction of man’s journey through the cosmos.”
“This new release is the Arkestra’s love offering to the world,” Allen added. “Beta music for a better world.”
Listen to “Angels And Demons At Play” by Sun Ra Arkestra below and scroll down to see the full Swirling track list.
Sun Ra Arkestra “Angels And Demons At Play”
[Video: Strut Records]
[H/T Rolling Stone]