OUA is an improvising rock group referencing the keyboard improvisations of Terry Riley, Krautrock style exploration, Sun Ra, Alice Coltrane and Magma, plus contemporary electronic and orchestral music.
Martin Archer – organ, electric piano, electronics, Eb saxophones, clarinets, voice, VST trumpet
Chris Bywater – organ, synthesizers & electronics, samples, percussion, voice, electric violin
Steve Dinsdale – drums, floor percussion, synthesizer
frostlake – voice, electronics, glockenspiel
Yvonna Magda – electric violin, loops & electronics
Walt Shaw – percussion, voice, electronics
Terry Todd – bass guitar, effects, voice
Mick Somerset Ward – concert, alto and bamboo flutes, Bb saxophones
REVIEWS
As soon as we heard this the massive and mesmeric sounds found here on the debut from the Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere, we knew it was Record Of The Week material! - AQUARIUS RECORDS, SAN FANCISCO
It's bewitching. Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first contender for 2013's year-end list - Francois Couture, Monsieur Delire
Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere" offers a downright impressive, very individual and colourful mixture of sound, that I can only insufficiently describe, so as if Circle, Terry Riley, Tuxedomoon, the Taj Mahal Travellers and some post rockers from Montreal, often supplemented by a little string or brass ensemble, would have recorded an album. The music is very dense, very intensive, very colourful, very professionally presented and with its very own atmosphere, so that one can only listen in awesome fascination despite the length of the album. Whoever likes the krautish experimental, the electonical post rock, the minimalistic hypnotic, modern ensemble music, and true progressive sounds should get immediately the "Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere. - BABYBLAUESEITEN PROG REVIEWS
Dripping with luxuriant folds of droning, organs that recall the stately grace of Terry Riley's early works, the swirling movements and textures create a series of collisions that are stylish and arresting.- Sid Smith, PROG
If you’re a fan of artists like Alice Coltrane, Magma, Phillip Glass, Terry Riley, Tangerine Dream and David Bedford, you must get this album. Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere is a cosmic feast for the ears and mind, and will take you to places unknown, from the depths of the human soul to the farthest, darkest reaches of the universe. Highly recommended! - Jeff Fitzgerald AURAL INNOVATIONS