In a hyperconnected and cynical age, the rise and appreciation of the spiritual and cosmic is cause for celebration. It's everywhere, and we're here for it. A few data points: As recently as 2010 Franya Berkman (in Monument Eternal) described hearing some of Alice Coltrane's music in a yoga class and scouring Manhattan record shops to no avail. In the eighteen years since Alice's passing her music and legacy have grown exponentially in stature, ushering in a bumper crop of brilliant reissues and at least one iconic bumper sticker. In 2020, Sam 'Floating Points' Shepherd and Pharoah Sanders created a modern classic of spiritual jazz, Promises. And in 2017 Solange had the Sun Ra Arkestra on board to get things rolling on her tour supporting A Seat at the Table.

Kelan Phil Cohran was a sideman in Sun Ra's Arkestra and leader (with Pete Cosey) of The Artistic Heritage Ensemble. All of these records are worth diving into--check his discogs, a world awaits you. He was also instrumental in founding the Chicago-based AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), an essential non-profit fostering innovation and education in jazz and other music. Now Listening Position (a new imprint under the Stone's Throw aegis) are releasing a fully-restored pristine reissue of one of Cohran's few outings outside of the Sun Ra and AHE business.

African Skies is a lost cosmic jazz classic now restored. Composed for the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, the music reflects Cohran's interest in astronomy and innovative instrumentation (make that a double on the harp and bass please). Originally recorded in the 90s but only released in minute quantities in 2010 by Captcha Records, the reissue sources from the original DATs (head to reddit to geek out with LP main man Jake). It's one of those records that you can just live with, absorb into your life, it will teach you things. "White Nile" will hook you in with its all-out pure beauty (imagine staring up at the planetarium dome hearing this) but the whole album is utterly engaging and spiritual in the best possible sense.

Cop African Skies directly from Listening Position HERE