He took his time with his solo debut. Marshall Allen, leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra, is now 101 years old. His New Dawn is neither atonal madness nor space esoterica; Allen scratches at the door to free jazz, but does not go through it. Traces of calypso, big band and spiritual jazz, funk and strings run through the tracks, and there are cosmic effects when he swaps his alto sax for the electronic horn. It’s as fresh and vibrant as if jazz had just been invented.
Marshall Allen – New Dawn
