Tag Archives: Levitation Orchestra

Mixtape #179

02 January 2026

Led by trumpeter and musical director Axel Kaner-Lidstrom, London-based ten-piece collective Levitation Orchestra have been lighting up the UK jazz scene since their formation in 2018. Bringing together some of London’s most exciting young talents, their music blends orchestral sounds, cinematic landscapes, rhythmic experimentation, and fierce improvisation, channeling influences from the avant-garde traditions of Sun Ra and Alice Coltrane, classical giants like Stravinsky and Ravel, and the rich heritage of London’s soundsystem culture. With an ethos rooted in community, Levitation Orchestra thrive on collective composition, with each member contributing to a shared vision. Last November, they released their third album, Sanctuary, a buoyant, ebullient and triumphant record. So we're beyond excited to kick off the year with the fiery and exhilarating mix they put together for us, filled with tracks that reflect the diverse musical world they inhabit. Press play and enjoy the ride!

  1. Makaya McCraven – In These Times [International Anthem / Nonesuch / XL Recordings]
  2. Sun Ra & His Myth Science Arkestra – Fate In a Pleasant Mood [Impulse!]
  3. United Vibrations – I Know Who I Am [12tone C.I.C]
  4. Esperanza Spalding – Rest In Pleasure [Concord]
  5. Ambrose Akinmusire – MYanx . [Nonesuch]
  6. Kassa Overall – Ready To Ball [Warp]
  7. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Uno [Madlib Invazion]
  8. Christian Scott – Twin [Ropeadope / Lonestar Records]
  9. The Comet Is Coming – Start Running [Leaf]
  10. Human Resources – Desilu (U Edit) [Body Action Music]
  11. The Bug – Skeng [Hyperdub]

Levitation Orchestra share new single, ‘Imladris’, off upcoming new album Sanctuary

28 October 2025

Led by trumpeter and musical director Axel Kaner-Lidstrom, Levitation Orchestra are a ten-piece collective bringing together some of London’s most dynamic young musicians, including vocalist Plumm, harpist Maria Osuchowska, drummer Harry Ling, flautist Lluís Domènech Plana, and tenor saxophonist James Akers. Hailed as one of the most exciting forces in London’s jazz scene, they formed through connections between Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Tomorrow’s Warriors, and Brainchild Festival, with an ethos rooted in community and collective composition, as Kaner-Lidstrom explains:

“The band was founded because collective music making is a beautiful thing which nourishes the soul and helps you grow as a person as well as an artist. Our outreach work with educational programmes such as NYJO and Tomorrow’s Warriors is important for us, as we can show young musicians how easy it is to write music collectively when it is rooted in respect and not the aggrandising of ego.”

Comes November 14th, Levitation Orchestra will release their new album Sanctuary through 5dB Records, following their previous records Inexpressible Infinity (2019) and Illusions & Realities (2021). In the works for the past three years, the upcoming album explores the idea of sanctuary as something built together, a space of openness and mutual understanding. Musically, and as the press release describes, it “blends orchestral instrumentation, cinematic soundscapes, and fierce improvisation”, and draws inspiration from artists like Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Stravinsky, and Ravel.

Ahead of the album’s release, Levitation Orchestra have shared their new single ‘Imladris’, a warm and joyous track blending bright horn melodies, harp, and piano in a flowing musical conversation, elevated by Plumm’s earthy vocals. Of the track, the band says:

“Imladris is a celebration, a revelling in splendour and good times. As such, it represents the joy of finding one’s sanctuary, the destination that lies at the end of a search for everything beautiful in life. This piece has also gone through many revisions, with the challenge being how to weave together many different themes, all of which we were enchanted by.”

Watch the video for ‘Imladris’ below.

Levitation Orchestra will launch Sanctuary with a headline show at London’s Islington Assembly Hall for the EFG London Jazz Festival on November 17th.

Levitation Orchestra unveil new live video for ‘Spiral (Die, Die, Die)’

28 February 2023

London based jazz collective Levitation Orchestra have shared a live video for ‘Spiral (Die, Die, Die)’ from their performance at the EFG London Jazz Festival in 2021, featuring dancers Caterina Danzico and Moses Ward. The track is lifted from their second album Illusions And Realities, also released in 2021 through Gearbox Records. Of the show and video, trumpeter and musical director Axel Kaner-Lidstrom comments:

““Spiral” is a darker shade of Levitation Orchestra. We revel in its intensity and enjoy the chance to combine precision and discipline, with the absurd. We are so grateful that we found collaborators in the form of movement artists, Moses and Caterina who have captured this perfectly.”

Watch the live video below.