An extraordinary meeting of generations lies at the heart of Planetarium Bells, bringing together Carlos Niño with legendary Sun Ra Arkestra saxophonist Marshall Allen, Darius Jones and drummer Austin Williamson, alongside additional contributions from guitarist Nate Mercereau. Recorded during two intimate live sets in Ridgewood, Queens, the music reflects Niño’s fascination with collective improvisation, deep listening and the spiritual possibilities of sound.
The album unfolds through expressive saxophone dialogues, intricate percussion and expansive, atmospheric textures. Allen’s unmistakable musical voice meets Jones’ adventurous improvisational approach, while Niño and Williamson create a fluid rhythmic foundation. Mercereau’s subsequent guitar and electronic contributions add further dimensions to the recordings, transforming spontaneous musical exchanges into richly layered sonic environments.
Rather than following conventional structures, Planetarium Bells embraces the unpredictable nature of collective creation. Moments of intensity emerge from meditative passages, with silence, resonance and subtle shifts in dynamics becoming essential elements of the music. A deeply immersive exploration of spiritual jazz and free improvisation, shaped by the freedom of musicians listening and responding to one another.
