Following up on their first new release in over 20 years, the remarkable 2020 album Swirling, the Afro-futuristic pioneer ensemble Sun Ra Arkestra, led by 98 year-old Marshall Allen, have put out a brilliant instrumental full length recording, titled Living Sky.

This incredible 7-track album was recorded in one session on June 15, 2021, and features nineteen musicians, including a strings section. When the New York label Omni Sound approached Marshall Allen about the recording, they suggested the band create an all instrumental album with a focus on a more downtempo spiritual and hypnotic sound — music that is accessible and healing in the Covid era. In return, the group turned out one of their greatest recordings (not mentioned lightly), with a great instrumental rendition of the classic “Somebody Else’s Idea,” the beautiful kora-led (played by Allen) “Day of the Living Sky,” the cosmic groovers “Prelude in A Major” and “Night of the Living Sky,” the bluesy “Marshall’s Groove”, as well as a pair of tuneful ballads in closing. For how great of a record Swirling is, Living Sky might arguably be Marshall Allen’s masterpiece as a bandleader.

The well-crafted 2xLP gatefold artwork was created by Black Monument Ensemble’s Damon Locks, and features double sided insert sheet. For a limited-number of the releases, the record also came with two separate art prints featuring Marshall Allen and Sun Ra.

Under the guidance of jazz giant Marshall Allen, the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra continues it’s seven-decade iconic legacy and releases one of the most brilliant albums of 2022.

Sun Ra Arkestra — ‘Living Sky’
(Omni Sound)

1. Chopin
2. Somebody Else’s Idea
3. Day of the Living Sky
4. Marshall’s Groove
5. Night of the Living Sky
6. Firefly
7. Wish Upon A Star

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