Sun Ra Arkestra

A Joyful Noise

Interplanetary.... Interplanetary.... Interplanetary.... With a burst of saxes and percussion the Arkestra launched themselves into orbit at Gorilla in Manchester.

The tiny stage is a riot of colour and crammed to the gunnels with musicians in glittery costumes playing their brand of jazz.

Being a relative new-comer to Sun Ra's vast back catalogue, I didn't know the names of most of the songs they played. But looking round at the audience, all I saw was a sea of smiling faces a dancing bodies (even the people sitting down) It was glorious to be there.

They ended with 'Space is the Place' and the procession through the audience. As the band filed slowly away and the music faded. The audience, as one, erupted into a huge ovation arms pumping the air. Stunning.

Marshall Allen, what can we say. 91 and still gigging. If you like Sun Ra take the chance to see them, it may not go on much longer.