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Suns of Arqa

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Suns of Arqa
Background information
Genres
Years active1979–present
Labels
MembersMichael Wadada
Websitesunsofarqa.co.uk

Suns of Arqa are a world music collective founded in 1979 by Michael Wadada. Since the group's formation, over 200 people from around the world have played and recorded with them, and in many cases these were like-minded musicians Wadada met as he travelled the world.[2][3][4] Pioneers of World Beat, Ambient, Downtempo and Electro-Dub, Suns of Arqa draw inspiration from around the world, interpreting indigenous, tribal and classical folk traditions. They have created an impressive legacy and earned worldwide recognition.[5]

Early days

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Suns of Arqa started out in the World Music scene in 1979, recording their debut album Revenge of the Mozabites which was produced by Adrian Sherwood, who later became known for On-U Sound Records. In 1982, they were invited to play at the first WOMAD Festival by Peter Gabriel. They performed with Prince Far-I at Band on the Wall, his last concert before his death in 1983.[2] Since then, they have gone on to work with a variety of musicians and performers, such as John Cooper Clarke, Professor Stanley Unwin, flautist Tim Wheater, Adrian Sherwood, singer Helen Watson and a great many others.[3][4][5]

The 1990s and beyond

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In the early 1990s, Wadada started his own Arka Sound label, and started re-issuing the group's older vinyl albums on new compilation CDs.[2][3][4] One of these, Land of a Thousand Churches, was a compilation featuring collaborations with artists such as James Young, Helen Watson and Feso Trombone. His combination of Hindu and Celtic traditions at a musical level became a trademark that ultimately became identifiable as his musical style. A few years later, Suns of Arqa worked with artists such as 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald, John Leckie, Zion Train, Muslimgauze, Youth and Astralasia. The results were a fusion of dub, drum and bass, and the existing styles which Suns of Arqa were associated with.[5]

Live

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Throughout their career Suns of Arqa have played at various major music festivals, including the Glastonbury Festival, Phoenix Festival and the first WOMAD Festival.[6] By the mid 1990s, the Suns of Arqa live setup added Scottish bagpipes, Indian strings, reggae percussion, and a variety of other instruments and sounds.[5] They have released three live albums to date, Musical Revue (later reissued as Live with Prince Far I), Animan, and Big and Live.

Media

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NME have described Suns of Arqa albums as "definitely the most unusual records of all time", and added that "Some might call it 'genius'; most will just settle for the word 'insane'. Either way, the result is fascinating", while East West Journal (USA) have said "I'm not at all certain how this band manages to so cohesively merge rhythms no other group in the world has dared to mix, I only know that their music is reverent, humorous, profound, disorientating, terrifying and fantastic all at the same time.". Rick Anderson of AllMusic wrote that "Many bands claim to deal in global fusion music, but few have as firm a claim on the genre as the Suns of Arqa ... Big & Live documents several recent live performances and shows Wadada and his cohorts in top form, delivering everything from Celtic-reggae fusion 'Om Kaaraaya' ... to Asian meditational sounds ... and sounds in between, such as 'Majhi Ra', which adds the keening tones of the shenai to the Celtic-reggae mix. There are fine vocal performances by Angel Eye, Reba Bhaduri and Cat Von Trapp ... some listeners will find this music immediately delightful, while other will probably be mostly puzzled."[5]

Suns of Arqa musicians and collaborators

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  • Michael Wadada (founder, creator of Suns of Arqa since 1979)
  • Angel Eye (since 1989)
  • Sanyogita Kumari (since 1987)
  • Johar Ali Khan (since 1992)
  • Kadir Durvesh (1987–2000)
  • Gagarin (since 1987)
  • John Snelson (1992–1999)
  • Marek Miczyk (1982–1999)
  • John Perkins (1987–1994)
  • Prince Far I (1982–1983)
  • Marcel King (1987)
  • Graham Massey (1987–1990)
  • Raghunath Seth (1992–2010)
  • Youth (since 1992)
  • A Guy Called Gerald (1994)
  • John Leckie (since 1999)
  • Alex Paterson (since 2000)
  • Greg Hunter (since 1992)
  • John Cooper Clarke (1987–2004)
  • Roland Beelen (since 1983)
  • Adrian Sherwood (1979–1980)
  • Style Scott (1980)
  • Chris Joyce (1982–1992)
  • Prince Hammer (1982–1987)
  • Keshav Sathe (1982–1987)
  • Helen Watson (1982–1987)
  • Kenny Margolis (1983–1985)
  • Professor Stanley Unwin (1985–1987)
  • Steve Hopkins (1987)
  • James Young (1987)
  • Roly Wynne (1994–1995)
  • Bryn Jones (1996)
  • Damon Reece (2003)
  • Philippe Falliex (2007)
  • Skip McDonald (2011)
  • Delroy 'Sticksman' Walker (since 1992)
  • Shaun Davis (since 2001)
  • Brian Hyphen (since 2015)
  • DJ Guapo (2005–2009)
  • Kuba (since 2017)
  • Tim Wheater (since 1989)
  • Wayne Worm (1982–1994)
  • Eric Random (1984–1988)
  • Ian Green (1979-1980)
  • Moot Beret (1980–1987)
  • Mark Stone (1980)
  • Tony Sullivan (1980)
  • Anton Behrendt (1982)
  • Big Red (1982–1983)
  • Chris Gill (1982)
  • Marie Louise Jackson (1982)
  • Brian Jones (1982)
  • Mustaphafakir (1982–1983)
  • Danny Sheals (1982–1987)
  • John 'JJ' Slater (1982-1983)
  • Snuff (1982)
  • Spliff (1982–1983)
  • Tony Trundel (1982)
  • Aziz Zeria (1982–1985)
  • Kalu Zeria (1982–1995)
  • Papu Zeria (1982–1983)
  • Steve Cyclepath (1983)
  • The Legendary Leperds (1983)
  • Keith 'Lizard' Logan (1983–1987)
  • John Scott (1983–1985)
  • Amar Singh (1983)
  • Doctor Himadri Chaudhuri (1984–1985)
  • Doreen Edwards (1984–1985)
  • Madastra (1984)
  • Vocal Harders (1985)
  • Martin Harrison (1985)
  • Stalwart (1985–1987)
  • Feso Trombone (1985)
  • Kwasi Asante (1987–1994)
  • Daniel Broad (1987)
  • Kendal Ernest (1987)
  • Khalid (1987)
  • Paula McKennol (1987)
  • Denyse MacNamara (1987)
  • Phil Mullen (1987)
  • Cliff Stapleton (1987)
  • Sarah Wildwitch (1987)
  • Colin Wood (1987)
  • Country Culture (1988)
  • Country Rankin (1988–1996)
  • Clare 'Ireti' Durrant (1989–1996)
  • Nicolas Magriel (since 1989)
  • Hassan Makki (1989)
  • Sandeep Popatkar (1989–1994)
  • Phil Kirby (1991–1992)
  • Reba Bhaduri (1992–1995)
  • Sumit Bhaduri (1992)
  • Sam McGrady (1992)
  • Dhevdhas Nair (1992–1994)
  • Wizard (1993–1996)
  • Quentin Budworth (1994-1996)
  • Garbi Armii (1995–2003)
  • Alex Fiennes (1995–1996)
  • Srirangam S Kannan (1995)
  • Rick 'The Switch' Turner (1995)
  • Alan DeCampos (1996–1997)
  • Lamin Jassey (1996)
  • Allan Martin (1996)
  • Abu Mustafa (1996)
  • Thierry 'Lion Man' Negro (1996)
  • Eric Trochu (1996)
  • Cod (1999)
  • Arif Durvesh (1999)
  • Gayan Uttejak Orchestra (1999–2003)
  • Laszlo Hortobagyi (1999–2001)
  • Shahbaz Hussain (1999–2002)
  • RJ Simms (1999)
  • Becky Spellar (1999)
  • Cat Von Trapp (1999)
  • Clive Wills (1999–2013)
  • Lyne Okey (2001)
  • Geshela Ngaqang Sherap (2001)
  • Agnieszka Jablonska (2003)
  • Kasha (2003)
  • Khaya (2003)
  • Joe McGill (2003)
  • Gita Sparkle (2005)
  • Michael Ormiston (2009)
  • Candida Valentino (2009)
  • David Hendry (2011)
  • Maren Lueg (2011)
  • Chas Whitaker (2011)
  • Steve York (2011)
  • Alan McLeod (2018–2019)

Discography

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Albums

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Title Format Released Record label Catalogue No Additional notes
Revenge of the Mozabites LP 1979 Rocksteady Records MICKL01
Wadada Magic (Vol III) LP 1983 Antler Subway ANTLER 024
India? (Vol IV) LP 1984 Rocksteady Records 1 GIL
Ark of the Arqans (Vol 5) LP 1985 Scarface MFACE11
Seven LP 1987 Rocksteady Records ARKA 7
The Musical Revue MC 1988 ROIR Europe A-161 1982 live concert featuring Prince Far I
White Band Speak With Forked Tongue MC 1989 Bop Cassettes BIP 403
Jaggernaut LP 1989 Antler/Subway ANT 104
Alap-Joe-Jhala LP/CD/MC 1992 Arka Sound ARKA 2102 CD 13-track album
Kokoromochi LP/CD/MC Feb 1992[7] Arka Sound ARKA 2104 CD 6-track album, includes 'Kalashree' and 'Vairabi' from 'India?', and 'Sanskrit Hymn' from 'Ark of the Arqans'. LP version does not include the two 'India?' tracks.
Shabda CD 1995 Arka Sound ARKA 2109 CD 14-track album
Animan CD 1996 Arka Sound ARKA 2110 CD 11-track live album
SOA meet Gâyan Uttejak Orchestra CD 1999 Arqa Sound ARKA CD 22113 8-track album
Cosmic Jugalbandi CD 1999 Arka Sound ARKA CD 22115 12-track album
Un1verse City CD 2001 Arka Sound/EMI 7243 5 34968 2 1 8-track album
Magiczna Miłość CD 2003 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33124 11-track album, including 3 tracks from 'Wadada Magic' ('Brujo Magic', 'Steppin to the Music', 'The Step'), sleeve designed by Skip Sommerville
Hallucinasia CD Nov 2005 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33125 12-track album, sleeve designed by Skip Sommerville
Big and Live CD Feb 2006 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33129 12-track live album, including 3 remixes based on tracks from 'Musical Revue', sleeve designed by Skip Sommerville
Scared Sacred CD 2009 Dragonfly Records BFLCD90 7-track album
Know Thyself CD 2010 Interchill Records ICHILL CD 040 4-track album
Stranger Music CD/DVD Apr 2011 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33137 15-track album packaged with 12-track Live DVD
All Is Not Lost, But Where Is It ? CD Mar 2015 Liquid Sound Design LSD91CD 7-track album
Wadada CD 26 February 2016 Tracks & Traces Footprint 201502 11-track album including remixes
Spiritual Sanity in an Insane Society Digital 11 April 2016 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33139 18-track album including new tracks, new Brian Hyphen remix, and older rarities
23,789 Day Excursion To Planet Earth Digital 18 November 2016 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33141 15-track album including new tracks, older rarities, and remixes by Adrian Sherwood, Brian Hyphen, Astralasia and others
The Space Mountain Sessions Digital 13 December 2017 Arka Sound 6-track album including live recordings from Space Mountain Festival, and remixes by Kuba
Pressure Drop - A Tribute to Lizard Logan Digital 11 March 2018 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33144 10-track album of old Suns of Arqa recordings covering classic reggae tracks, including mixes and edits by Adrian Sherwood, John Brierley and Brian Hyphen
Cape Town Rock Digital 27 April 2018 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33145 11-track album including new single 'Cape Town Rock', live recordings from Cape Town, and remixes by Youth, Astralasia, Gaudi, Gagarin, and Brian Hyphen
Ambyss Digital 6 January 2019 Arka Sound ARKA 33151 4-track album including live recordings from Ozora Festival, Hungary August 2018
Bringing Light to the New World Disorder 4xCD 27 March 2020 Digital Reprints DR010LE 59-track box set of rarities, produced by Michael Wadada, mixed by Brian Hyphen
The Wolf of Badenoch CD 5 June 2020 Arka Sound ARKACD 33149 12-track album produced by Michael Wadada, arranged and mixed by Brian Hyphen
Live At Télérama Digital 5 March 2021 Arka Sound ARKA33156 8-track live album recorded in Paris in 2006

Remix albums

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Title Format Released Record label Catalogue No Additional notes
Jaggernaut (Whirling Dub) CD 1992 Arka Sound ARKA 2103 CD Remixed from Jaggernaut LP
Cradle CD/MC 1992 Earthsounds CDEASM 004 Remixed from Jaggernaut LP
Total Eclipse of the Suns CD 1995 Arka Sound ARKA 2108 CD First album of individual remixes
Remixes Vol 2 & 3 2CD 1998 Echo Beach LC 2188
Technomor CD 2001 Arka Sound ARKA CD 22116-2 Subtitled 'Remixes Vol 4'
Muslim Gauze CD 2001 Arka Sound ARKA CD 22120 Remix album by 'Muslimgauze' Bryn Jones
Cradle (new remix) CD 2002 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33122 Remixed from Jaggernaut LP, sleeve designed by Skip Sommerville
All Is Not Lost, All Is Dub Digital 10 December 2015 Liquid Sound Design (None) 7-track album of remixes
Kuba Mixes Digital 5 February 2021 Arka Sound ARKA33155 Remix album by Kuba

Re-issues

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Title Format Released Record label Catalogue No Details
Live with Prince Far I CD 1999 Arka Sound ARKA 2100 CD Re-issue of 1984 album, plus 4 radio sessions, plus 'Thunder Bolt, Dark Void' ('Ark of the Arqans'), 'Hey Jagunath' ('Govinda Go')
Govinda's House CD 2001 Arka Sound ARKA CD 22117 Re-issue of Disc 2 from 'Remixes 2 & 3' with an extra mix by The Orb
Aberglaube CD 2001 Arka Sound ARKA CD 22118 Re-issue of Disc 1 from 'Remixes 2 & 3'
Revenge of the Mozabites CD 2001 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33116 Bonus track added (see article)
Seven CD 2002 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33125 Updated track listing (see article)
Alap-Joe-Jhala MP3 27 July 2005[8] Arka Sound B001GQAGME Re-issue of 1992 CD, without the four opening remixes, instead starting with additional track 'Gavati'
Re-mixs Muslimgauze CD 2007 Soleilmoon SOL 158 CD Re-issue of most of 'Muslim Gauze' with more complete versions of mixes, plus new mixes of 'Whirling Dub', 'Sensi Palestine', 'Horses of the Apothecary'
Revenge of the Mozabites CD 30 October 2017 Corbett vs. Dempsey CvsD / CD037 Re-issue of debut LP with three bonus mixes/edits by Brian Hyphen (see article)

Singles

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Title Format Released Record label Catalogue No Details
Soul To Save 7" 1980 Rocksteady Records MICK 010 B-side is an edit of 'Ananta Snake Dance' from 'Revenge of the Mozabites'
Mysteries of the East 12" 1982 Virgin Records 600 642 Jhalib's 'Mysteries of the East', backed by an edit of 'Ananta Snake Dance' from 'Revenge of the Mozabites'
GD Magick 12" Oct 1983 Antler Records ANTLER 018 New track 'GD Magick', plus a remix of 'Acid Tabla' from 'Revenge of the Mozabites', and 'Throw Away Your Guns/Whatyougonnadoonjudgementday' from 'Musical Revue'
Pressure Drop 7"/12" 1984 Vogue Belgique VB788 B-sides are 'World Peace AD' and 'Scully's Reel' from 'Revenge of the Mozabites'
Champs-Élysées 7" 1985 CNR Music ? Artist billed as 'SOA Band', B-side is Sprout Head Uprising Mash-Up
In Paradisum 12" 1987 Rocksteady Records 1 G1T Artist billed as simply 'Arka', features 'In Paradisum' 7" Single Mix, Disco Dub Mix, and 'Erasmus Meets the Earthling'
Govinda's House 12" 1988 Antler Records ANT 094 B-side is 'In The City of Nine Gates' (dub mix of the A-side)
Govinda Go 12" 1990 Arka Sound ARKA SOUND 2112 Features 'Govinda Go (808 Massey Mix)' and 'Hey Jagunath'
Sul-E-Stomp CD/12" 1992 Magick Eye EYE CD 16 Remixes of 'Sully's Reel' from 'Revenge of the Mozabites' by Astralasia, various 12" versions released
Govinda's Dream CD 22 August 1994[9] Arka Sound ARKA 601 CD Remixes of earlier 'Govinda's House' single by Astralasia, Phil Kirby, A Guy Called Gerald
Erasmus Meets The Earthling CD 1994 Arka Sound ARKA 602 CD Remixes of 'Erasmus', Jaggernaut, and 'What Does It Profit' by Phil Kirby, Youth and Greg Hunter
DJ Files 12" 1995 Arka Sound ARKA 602 Remixes of Jaggernaut, and 'What Does It Profit' by Phil Kirby, Youth and Greg Hunter
Govinda's Dream (Remixes) 12" 1995 Arka Sound ARKA 601R Two remixes from United Spirits of Rhythm and A Guy Called Gerald
Tomorrow Never Knows (Promo) 12" 2001 EMI 12ARQWL 001 Two remixes of 'Tomorrow Never Knows' by Chicken Lips, plus The Orb remix of 'Children of Jumma'
Brujo Magic 12" 2012 Emotional Rescue ERC 002 Previously unreleased versions of Brujo Magic and Ananta Snake Dance
Acid Tabla 12" 2016 Emotional Rescue ERC 033 Includes new 12" version of Acid Tabla, and new remix of Asian Rebel by Brian Hyphen

Compilations

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Title Format Released Record label Catalogue No Details
Vol 2+3 Eclecticism MC 1983 One G Productions 1G 1 Tracks from 'Revenge of the Mozabites', 'Wadada Magic' and 'GD Magick'
Arqaology: Wadada 1979 to 1986 LP 1986 One G Productions 1G 2L Tracks from 'Revenge of the Mozabites', 'Wadada Magic', 'GD Magick', 'Ark of the Arqans' and two tracks by Sprout Head Uprising ('Nothing to Sing Part II' and 'Hard Life')
Land of a Thousand Churches CD/MC 1991 Arka Sound ARKA 2101 CD New remixes of 'The Truth Lies Therein' and 'Open The Door To Your Heart', plus tracks from 'India?', 'Ark of the Arqans', 'Seven' and 'Govinda Go'
Arqaology LP/CD/MC 1992 Arka Sound ARKA 2105 CD New remixes of 'Brujo Magic' and 'City of Nine Gates', plus tracks from 'Revenge of the Mozabites', 'Wadada Magic', 'GD Magick'
Solar Activity 1979–2001 2CD 2001 Arka Sound/EMI 7243 5 31592 2 1 Compilation
A Brief History of SOA CD 25 November 2002 Arka Sound ARKA 2111 CD Compilation
Tributey CD 2003 Arka Sound ARKA 33123 CD Compilation featuring interviews with Professor Stanley Unwin
Through The Gate We Go 2CD 2008 Arka Sound ARKACD 33133 27-track DJ Mix by Tom Fu
Arqatronic Digital 1 October 2018 Arka Sound ARKACD33147 12-track DJ Mix by Brian Hyphen
Revelation XVII LP 15 April 2022 Sleepers SLPRS013 10-track Compilation

Videos

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Title Format Released Record label Catalogue No Details
Hindu Pict DVD 6 November 2006 Arka Sound ARKA 12306 DVD 20-track DVD including live footage, interviews and music/video mixes
Stranger Music DVD Apr 2011 Arka Sound ARKA CD 33137 15-track Live DVD (with CD Album) recorded Wiltshire 2010, Big Chill 2009, Glastonbury 2008

[1][3][10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "On-U Sound In The Area - Adrian Sherwood / On-U Sound remix discography - Part 4". Skysaw.org. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Suns Of Arqa Biography Archived 14 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c d "Suns of Arqa on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Suns Of Arqa music, videos, stats, and photos". Last.fm. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e "SUNS OF ARQA". Archive.today. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Suns Of Arqa lineup, biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Suns Of Arqa - Kokoromochi". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Alap Joe Jhalla: Suns Of Arqa: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  9. ^ "NME - 13th August 1994 - Mancunian Rhapsody". 3 October 2006. Archived from the original on 3 October 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Suns Of Arqa". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
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