Suns of Arqa January 18, 2013

The legendary Suns of Arqa bring their mystical and utterly compelling mix cosmic dub, spiritual raga and transcendental global beats to Band on the Wall for a night of mind-blowing music.

Since the first Suns of Arqa release many turns of the sun ago, British music has been richly embellished by such acts as Transglobal Underground; Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart; The Orb; Loop Guru and the Afro-Celt Sound System, each with their own ways of exploring the same cultural commotions that have so gloriously distinguished Wadada’s work. All these groups owe a debt to the pioneering Suns of Arqa.

Suns of Arqa creator and mentor Michael Wadada began his collaborative recordings with Revenge of the Mozabites in 1979 with Adrian Sherwood, and was subsequently invited by Peter Gabriel to perform at the very first WOMAD Festival. Over the years, Suns of Arqa have included musicians from around the globe, interpreting the various indigenous, tribal and classical folk traditions.

Some of the world's most renowned talents have contributed to this collective including 808 State's Graham Massey (single Govinda's Dream), Finlay Quaye/Sounds From the Ground/Kopeikin/Youth/MuslimGauze (Remixes Vol. 2 & 3), John Cooper Clarke/Professor Stanley Unwin (album Suns of Arqa Meet The Gayan Uttejak Orchestra), Eric Random (album Land of a Thousand Churches) and Astralasia (album Total Eclipse of the Suns).

Releasing a rare style of "cerebral-illusive cosmological vibrations of raga" since 1979, Cosmic Jugalbandi, the 14th full length release, marks the 20th Anniversary Edition of Arka Sound and is yet another uplifting collectors gem already available in Europe.

Returning back to their hometown for this very special performance, expect a night in the presence of one of Manchester's most original, pioneering and hugely influential bands.

Official Website: http://crd.fm/1gl