By way of marking Sun Ra Arkestra leader Marshall Allen’s 100th trip around the sun, Lights On A Satellite is a celebration that charts the past, present and future of the Arkestra’s remarkable musical achievement.

Instigated by IN+OUT Records founder Frank Kleinschmidt, this is primarily a showcase for Allen and the 24-piece Arkestra to strut their stuff with style, alternately swelling with Ellingtonian big band pomp and cosmically summoned free jazz explorations while, at the same time, paying respectful homage to their late leader Sun Ra.

Of the big band style played here it is their rendition of such Ra classics as the newly discovered ‘Baby Won’t You Please Be Mine’ and David Rose’s 1942 standard ‘Holiday For Strings’ that shine brightest, while the opening title track is a beautifully paced introductory improvisation where the players gradually come together over a repeated loping theme.

Other highlights in this vein include the more feral sounding delights of ‘Friendly Galaxy’ and ‘Reflects Motion’, the latter opening with percussion, swooping alto sax and electronics from Allen’s Electronic Valve Instrument as an ensemble of strange strings and a herd of blustering horns take centre stage.

Perfectly balanced across the album’s four vinyl sides (or single CD), it bows out with a joyful rendition of ‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans’, a salute to Allen, Ra and the Arkestra’s jazz origins that transports them back to the 1920s street parades.