Paul Hazel & Steve Waterman - Out Of This World With Sun Ra (May 24, 2021 Bamboo Radical)

A four-track EP of Sun Ra covers, a collaboration between electronic music producer Paul Hazel and jazz trumpet maestro Steve Waterman.

Paul and Steve’s idea was to take Sun Ra material and treat it in a wholly contemporary way (rather than just producing pseudo-Arkestra arrangements). They’ve tried to retain the elements of improvisation and risk-taking that we all love about Ra, whilst developing a colourful palette of unusual modern instrumental combinations and timbres.

You’ll hear growling plunger mute trumpet redolent of Bubber Miley–era Duke Ellington set against acid synth and finger pops, Miles-like echoed trumpet above lush electronic backdrops, muted trumpet piercing through squalls of distorted guitar. Under carpets of chattering percussion heavy dub basses drive proceedings along…

1. New Day 04:08

2. Somewhere In Space 04:08

3. Mu 04:42

4. There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of) 05:40

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John Surman / John Warren - The Brass Project (ECM 2019)

The original conceptual idea for the Brass Project was to set John Surman’s improvising trio with bassist Chris Laurence and drummer John Marshall at the centre of a radiant brass choir of trumpets and trombones. With John Warren invited to contribute compositions and to conduct the group, the Brass Project quickly evolved into a more organic large ensemble, and by the time of this 1992 recording had become one of the most creative configurations in Britain. The elegant arrangements of Warren’s and Surman’s profoundly melodic music inspire many eloquent and touching solos.

John Surman   Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Piano

Henry Lowther   Trumpet

Steve Waterman   Trumpet

Stuart Brooks   Trumpet

Malcolm Griffiths   Trombone

Chris Pyne   Trombone

David Stewart   Bass Trombone

Richard Edwards   Bass Trombone

Chris Laurence   Bass

John Marshall   Drums, Percussion

John Warren   Conductor

1 THE RETURNING EXILE (John Surman) 07:41

2 COASTLINE (John Surman) 03:33

3 THE NEW ONE TWO PART 1 (John Warren) 06:39

4 THE NEW ONE TWO PART 2 (John Warren) 07:30

5 SPACIAL MOTIVE (John Warren) 04:51

6 WIDER VISION (John Surman) 08:26

7 SILENT LAKE (John Warren) 05:56

8 MELLSTOCK QUIRE / TANTRUM CLANGLEY (John Warren, John Surman) 11:13

9 ALL FOR A SHADOW (John Warren, John Surman) 05:49