Saxophonist Marshall Allen keeps the Sun Ra Arkestra alive with his powerful sound at 98

Since orchestra leader Sun Ra left planet Earth almost thirty years ago, where he says he only stayed briefly in transit from Saturn, alto saxophonist Marshall Allen has kept his legacy in the Sun Ra Arkestra alive.

Allen is 98 years old, who could already be heard on the first Sun Ra records from the early sixties. Living Sky is the second studio album in 23 years of the Sun Ra Arkestra led by him, na Swirling from 2020. The new record is a bit easier on the ear than Swirling. The harmonies, played by the nineteen musicians, are immediately beautiful in Chopinin which the orchestra gives an Afro-Latin treatment to a piece by the composer.

Allen’s sound on the alto sax is still powerful and sometimes disruptive. In the two pieces that he composed himself, he shows the influence of his old master well. Big band swing combined with touches of free jazz, electronics and afro-futurism on this album form a tasty cocktail that tastes good, making you want to dive deeper into Sun Ra’s oeuvre. The beautiful melodies and the clever interplay make one hope for another reunion with the Arkestra in the Netherlands, before Allen will also leave the sublunary.