SUN RA ARKESTRA

Living Sky (Omni Sound)

Cosmic jazz pioneer Sun Ra divested himself of his earthly form in 1993, but the ensemble he founded in the 1950s, the Sun Ra Arkestra, have continued to spread the message of his science fiction-infused jazz ever since. They’re now led by saxophonist Marshall Allen – an Arkestra member since 1958, who performs with a fluency that belies his 98 years of age.

The album is composed of mid-tempo big band numbers that have a certain timeless quality: everything here feels like it could have been composed and recorded at any point in the last 70 or so years. While none of the tracks on this album are full-on stompers, Allen’s playing, and that of the other members, doesn’t lack passion or intensity. There’s nothing here that feels revelatory or shockingly new, but it’s a worthy addition to the Sun Ra canon and a treat for fans of jazz in the classic swing tradition.

words DAVID GRIFFITHS