Originally formed in mid 2000s, New Zealand jazz collective The Circling Sun, whom is made up of record collectors, music producers and DJs, will be releasing their much-anticipated debut record, titled Spirits, later this May for the stellar London-based label Soundway Records.

Featuring 6 tracks on the vinyl version and 8 songs in total, this incredible recording captures the spirit of the group’s major influences of Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, and Alice Coltrane fusing together spiritual grooves, soaring horn solos, celestial and meditative tones and textures, with a dose of hypnotic Latin rhythms and choir vocals by made up of mostly Pacific Island and Maori singers and artists, an important acknowledgement of and reflection on their countries own culture.

The session notably includes drummer, percussionist and primary songwriter of the group Julien Dyne, who is also a member of The Lahaar, which also recently released their outstanding debut EP for Soundway. The record also features J.Y Lee (saxophones / flute / bass clarinet), Cameron Allen (saxophones), Finn Scholes (trumpet / vibraphone), Guy Harrison (piano / keyboards) and Ben Turua (acoustic bass).

Brilliant from start to finish, Spirits is an impressive debut and will certainly have you on an astral trip through the cosmos. Definitely a strong candidate for record of the year!

The Circling Sun’s debut record ‘Spirits’ will be released by Soundway Records on May 19, 2023.

The Circling Sun — ‘Spirits’
(Soundway Records)

1. Bones
2. Kohan
3. Veneer
4. Spirits (Part 2)
5. Bliss
6. Plume
7. Jewel (Digital Only Bonus Track)
8. Silver (Digital Only Bonus Track)

BUY RECORD

• Cosmic
• Jazz
• Spiritual Jazz