Italian drummer, composer, and producer Tommaso Cappellato, who has recently relocated to Los Angeles, has released a Sun Ra-inspired experimental cosmic jazz recording with his Astral Travel group, titled If You Say You Are From This Planet, Why Do You Treat It Like You Do?.

Released through Khalab‘s Hyperjazz label, this six-track recording, is inspired by the poetry of Sun Ra inscribed within the pages of the book This Planet Is Doomed. According to Cappellato, “the music and lyrics focus on the current consciousness of the planet, raising questions and issues of humanity’s collective spiritual direction.” Even though the current COVID-19 crisis wasn’t on the minds of anyone at the time of the recording, the subject matter seems extremely appropriate for the times that we are unfortunately currently living in.

With over four hours of recorded improvisational material narrowed down and edited by producer Rabih Beaini, the music on this recording is an absolute otherworldly cosmic trip, fusing together spontaneous rhythms and futuristic space-age tones, with highly-acclaimed vocalists Dwight Trible and Camilla Battaglia declaiming Sun Ra’s poetry. Also featured on the session is pianist Fabrizio Puglisi, reeds player Piero Bittolo Bon, who also contributes to the electronic soundscape, and double bassist Marco Privato.

If you are looking to enter the cosmos and search for a new distant planet, you might have found the perfect sci-fi soundtrack to accompany you on that journey.

Safe travels.

Astral Travel — ‘If You Say You Are From This Planet, Why Do You Treat It Like You Do?’
(Hyperjazz Records)

1. You Are From This Planet
2. Tomorrow’s Destiny
3. Infinity
4. The End
5. Time
6. Science Has Changed

BUY RECORD

• Cosmic
• ELECTRONIC MUSIC
• Jazz