SUN RA ARCHESTRA — Swirling (2020) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The planets align as the mighty Sun Ra Arkestra, under the direction of the maestro Marshall Allen, are releasing their first studio album in over twenty years, ‘Swirling’.

“We truly hope that this recording brings much joy to a planet which is so deeply in need of a spirit sound and vibration,” states saxophonist Knoel Scott. “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,” concludes Marshall Allen. “Beta music for a better world.”

Recorded at Rittenhouse Soundworks in Philadelphia, the new recording represents the continuation of a heartfelt rebirth of the Arkestra under Allen’s guidance since Sun Ra left the planet in 1993, gaining new generations of followers from their regular touring across the globe. With a big band line-up featuring long-standing Arkestra members including Danny Ray Thompson (RIP), Michael Ray, Vincent Chancey, Knoel Scott, Cecil Brooks, Atakatune (RIP), Elson Nascimento and Tyler Mitchell, the album is a full-blooded celebration of Sun Ra’s legacy. bandcamp.com 
Tracklist :
1.           Satellites Are Spinning / Lights On A Satellite 8:00
Written-By – Sun Ra
2.        Seductive Fantasy 11:49
Written-By – Sun Ra
3.        Swirling 7:42
Written-By – Marshall Allen
4.        Angels And Demons At Play 7:05
Written-By – Sun Ra
5.        Sea Of Darkness / Darkness 5:06
Written-By – Sun Ra
6.        Rocket No. 9 5:00
Written-By – Sun Ra
7.        Astro Black 4:51
Written-By – Sun Ra
8.        Infinity / I'll Wait For You 9:18
Written-By – Sun Ra
9.        Sunology 4:25
Written-By – Sun Ra
10.        Door Of The Cosmos / Say 7:29
Written-By – Sun Ra
Credits : 
Alto Saxophone – Knoel Scott
Alto Saxophone, Electronic Valve Instrument [EVI] – Marshall Allen
Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Danny Ray Thompson
Bass – Tyler Mitchell
Congas – Stanley "Atakatune" Morgan
Cover [Original Cover Artwork By] – Lewis Heriz
Directed By [Under The Direction Of] – Marshall Allen
Drums – Wayne Anthony Smith, Jr.
French Horn – Vincent Chancey
Guitar – Dave Hotep
Performer – Sun Ra Arkestra
Piano – Farid Barron
Surdo [Surdo Drums], Percussion – Elson Nascimento
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – James Stewart 
Text By [Poem "Calling Planet Earth", August 1990] – Sun Ra
Trombone, Vocals – Dave Davis 
Trumpet – Cecil Brooks, Michael Ray
Vocals, Violin – Tara Middleton 

MARTY EHRLICH'S DARK WOODS ENSEMBLE — Just Before The Dawn (1995) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The second Darkwoods Ensemble recording for multi-woodwind instrumentalist/composer Ehrlich is a true winner, and a progressive jazz icon for the '90s. To paraphrase Ehrlich's own description of his music "Sounds startle the air... birds call across as if the light won't come... these sounds will find a center or the center will change... metal hued breath across strings... birds in the darkness, waiting for no one... open the door, wake these sounds, just before the dawn." Ehrlich is assisted in this quest by French horn player Vincent Chancey, bassist Mark Helias, cellist Erik Friedlander, and percussionist Don Alias.

At their most free and uninhibited, the group digs in on "Side By Side" with Ehrlich's clarinet setting off some unison lines and a cello-bass-conga groove bridge, or there's the scatter shot improv, prompted by serious bass clarinet and goofy French horn, with terpsichorean tuneful unison during "Dance #1." Elephantine clarion calls from Chancey with other animals chattering on a freely associated "Underground/Overground" is a prelude for swooping bird sounds via the strings and quite soulful unison horns in this segmented piece. Also highly developed is the risky "Flight" starting as a whack waltz, going to multi-faceted lighthouse beam spotted melodies, and an intense, free bridge that suddenly stops, making way for introspective, collective meditations. As complexly written is "Thickets," with haunting cello, ethnic percussion, minimalist, repeated clarinet and NYC urgent traffic motifs. A more mournful bass/cello/alto sax informs "Mudpie Anthem" with additional chamber-like counterpoint. The most tuneful asides are the wood flute/percussion Afro-Cuban groove of "Spirit Of J.A.H." (for Julius Hemphill), the heavy bass/bass clarinet ostinato of "Eliahu," and the lilting, beautiful, tuneful flute/plucked cello/shaker percussion beaut "The Folksinger."

This music needs to be heard by all who love a good joust from improvising musicians who fully understand shadings, nuance, power and glory. Highly recommended, and a high point in Ehrlich's substantial discography. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1..    Spirit Of JAH    2:27
 Don Alias / Marty Ehrlich 
2.    Thickets    6:40
 Marty Ehrlich 
3.    Mudpie Anthem    7:56
 Mark Helias 
4.    Dance No. 1    6:07
 Marty Ehrlich 
5.    Flight    8:22
 Marty Ehrlich 
6.    The Folksinger    7:13
 Marty Ehrlich 
7.    Side By Side    6:59
 Marty Ehrlich 
8.    Underground/Overground    7:16
 Marty Ehrlich 
9.    Eliahu    6:31
 Marty Ehrlich 
Credits :
Cello – Erik Friedlander
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Wooden Flutes], Liner Notes – Marty Ehrlich
Double Bass – Mark Helias
French Horn – Vincent Chancey
Percussion – Don Alias