The Great Sun Ra’s Magic Lives On in Debut Album from Old Friends Michael Sarian, Matthew Putman, Federico Ughi, and Newcomer Ledian Mola

 
577 Records’ The Sea, The Space, and Egypt, Vol. 1 is what happened when old friends and a new connection united in the name of music.  A heartfelt tribute to the great Sun Ra, the otherworldly album debuts the collaborative gifts of Michael Sarian (on the trumpet), Matthew Putman (on the keys), Federico Ughi (on the drums), and up-and-coming Cuban bassist Ledian Mola.

Sure, most of these musicians have played together in the past.  Sarian and Putman have made many albums together, while Putman and Ughi have conspired on melodies for fifteen years.  However, we guarantee you have never heard them all in one spot like this.

Alabama’s Sun Ra rose to the top of the Chicago music scene in the 1940s with something unprecedented.  A cosmic pioneer of Afrofuturism, he became known for his diverse and unique avant-garde experimentalism.  Modern artists champion him as a true innovator.

The new band revives the late Sun Ra’s magic in this appropriately named new release.  Matthew Putman even plays the same keyboard model as the experimental music icon (the Rocksichord). Even the cover art is a nod to Sun Ra's ancient Egyptian influences, featuring an upside-down pyramid over a galactic setting created by Robert Mirolo.

Meanwhile, Ledian Mola adds vocals inspired by Cuban folklore to these incredible improvisations.  The album marks Mola’s first time recording with the other artists in the group (and 577 Records), but you would never know it.  Their abstract rhythms sound like they’ve been playing together for a lifetime!  He was hand-chosen for this project from 577 Records’ 2022 SOF music residency in Italy and has performed at several of the New York Forward Festival's live events. 

From the label guided by Daniel Carter, The Sea, The Space, and Egypt will be presented in two parts.  Vol. 1 will be available January 17, 2025 on LP and CD (in limited numbers).  Vol. 2 will drop soon after!

Michael Sarian, Matthew Putman, Ledian Mola, Federico Ughi
The Sea, The Space, and Egypt, Vol. 1

Michael Sarian: trumpet
Matthew Putman: keyboards
Ledian Mola: bass
Federico Ughi: drums

Recorded at Sear Sound, NYC
Release: January 17, 2025
Total 12" vinyl time - 39:23
Catalogue number 5937-1

Photography by Richard Sandler 
Graphic design by Sergio Vezzali

Vinyl: Beautifully designed limited edition vinyl LP

TRACKS:

SIDE ONE
1. Aquí Está Juan Calesero, El Que le Levantó la Mano a su Amo! 4:31
2. Water and Fish 5:22
3. In India 9:52

SIDE TWO
1. Being in the Music 5:57
2. Beautiful Heart 5:12
3. I Want To Be With You Everyday 3:29
4. We Are In The World 5:01

100% of profit from the sale of most of these albums
goes to the musicians

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