Alan Silva And His Celestrial Communication Orchestra – Luna Surface LP

Alan Silva And His Celestrial Communication Orchestra – Luna Surface

- Definitive remastered edition of this long-sought-after collector’s item by American bassist Alan Silva — a fearless innovator from the explosive New York avant-garde scene
- Recorded in Paris, 1969, for BYG’s storied Actuel series, a cornerstone of avant-garde jazz
- Features the 11-piece Celestial Communication Orchestra
- Includes Anthony Braxton, Archie Shepp, Dave Burrell, Grachan Moncur III, Leroy Jenkins, Malachi Favors, Kenneth Terroade, Beb Guérin, Claude Delcloo, and Bernard Vitet
- Presented in deluxe formats with restored artwork and archival details
- Insert featuring new liner notes by jazz author and renowned music journalist Kevin Le Gendre

The Return of a Free Jazz Milestone

Originally released in 1969, this explosive, large-scale work by Silva’s Celestial Communication Orchestra remains a towering achievement in free jazz and avant-garde composition. Born in Bermuda and raised in Harlem, Alan Silva was a key figure in the New York avant-garde scene, performing with visionaries such as Albert Ayler, Sun Ra, and Cecil Taylor.

With Luna Surface, he reached new creative heights, leading a transatlantic ensemble of American and European improvisers. Together, these musicians create a sound that is richly layered — uproarious, torrid, and intensely moving.

Comprising two lengthy pieces, From the Luna Surface (Parts 1 & 2), the album unfolds like a constantly shifting landscape of sound, full of the boundless originality one would expect from such a talented group under Silva’s skilled direction.

Rooted in the legacy of Charles Mingus yet boldly forward- looking, Silva’s music reflects not just the unrest of the late '60s, but a yearning for unity, transcendence, and deeper cosmic understanding.

Luna Surface was — and remains — a radical proposition: music not just to entertain, but to transform. This deluxe reissue offers a timely rediscovery of a work that still feels futuristic — a sonic reminder that the search for new worlds, whether musical or metaphysical, remains as urgent as ever.

Tracklist:
1. From the Luna Surface Part 1
2. From the Luna Surface Part 2

Label: Charly Records
Released: 1969/2025