Theta Seven

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Cat No: DISCUS206CD

PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.

Release Date: 30 January 2026

Label: Discus Music

Packaging Type: Digipak

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 5051078023625

Genres: Rock Progressive Rock

Description

'Theta Seven' - Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere's seventh and final album - arrives a shade under 3 years since its predecessor. As with previous releases, basic tracks, either using simple compositional ideas or freely improvised, were recorded live in the studio by the full band over a frenetic 2 day period. These tracks were radically edited and collaged by Martin Archer, and finally overdubbed and arranged by Martin Archer and Jan Todd working in tandem to arrive at the seamless continuity of sound heard on the finished work.

As before we hear shades of krautrock, psychedelia, textural improvisation and free jazz. After the unusual and beautiful duet for guzheng and double bass which opens the album, the journey moves on to a celebratory atmosphere for the next three tracks, before diving into much darker territory - which finally resolves back to light via a joyous cover of Sun Ra's "That's How I Feel" and an exquisite closing statement for guzheng and violin which mirrors the album's beginning.

To reprise the mission statement found on the band's first album from thirteen years previously: "It is the job of the progressive artist to propose an alternative reality, and preferably one in which all notions of common sense have been completely eradicated. O7 is the final instalment in a series of proposals by Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere. Many thanks to everyone who has followed us on our journey since 2012."
Martin Archer - woodwind, keyboards, software instruments
Steve Dinsdale - drums, keyboards
Lorin Halsall - acoustic and electric double basses, electronics
Yvonna Magda - violin and electronics
Andy Peake - piano, keyboards
Walt Shaw - drums, percussion, electronics
Jan Todd - vocals, voices, melodies, electronics, guzheng, electric Harp-E, lute harp, cross strung harp, hulusi flutes, metal Noisebox, waterphones, found sound recordings, electronic samples
Terry Todd - bass guitar
Tracklisting