Sun Ra Arkestra announce new album ‘Living Sky’

Music

Sun Ra Arkestra have shared ‘Somebody Else’s Idea’, the lead single from their new album Living Sky, which will be released on 7th October via Omni Sound.

The song is the first instrumental recording of Ra’s “Somebody Else’s Idea”, which was originally recorded in 1955 and again in 1970 for its proper release on 1971’s My Brother The Wind, Vol II.

The album as a whole was commissioned by executive producer Ahmet Ulug, who has had a longstanding relationship with the group since the 1980s, including promoting their shows, collaborating with the group and, more recently, launching Omni Sound, which would become the home of this new LP.

Recorded on 15th June 2021, and featuring 19 musicians and string section, the album was created based on Ulug’s request that is be “Spiritual and hypnotic and to that effect down tempo, melodic and grooving…….from the kora to EVI; ancient to the future. Music that is accessible and healing in the Covid era.”

Sun Ra Arkestra has been spearheaded by musical director and alto saxophonist Marshall Allen for more than two decades, and at the age of 98 his influence and legacy remains unmatched.

Speaking about the lead single, baritone saxophonist Knoel Scott explains that “‘Somebody Else’s Idea’ is an affirmation that the world I live in is a world that I can change. The first part of change is not accepting the status, the so called status quo, in rejecting the status quo, I free myself to the possibilities which range amongst the infinite. It is our desire. There are those who listen to our music also embrace the possibilities which range beyond the limits of the impossible.”

Tracklist
1. Chopin (Frédéric Chopin)
2. Somebody Else’s Idea (Sun Ra)
3. Day of the Living Sky (Marshall Allen)
4. Marshall’s Groove (Marshall Allen)
5. Night of the Living Sky (Sun Ra)
6. Firefly (Marshall Allen)
7. Wish Upon A Star (Leigh Harline)

Listen to ‘Somebody Else’s Idea’.