Far Out set to release two LPs from former Sun Ra Arkestra member Francisco Mora Catlett

Far Out Recordings have announced the release of ‘Mora!’ and ‘Mora! II’, the debut and sophomore solo LPs of percussionist and former member of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Francisco Mora Catlett.

While his first solo LP was originally recorded and released as a private press in 1987, the follow up came together over several years with an expanded Detroit jazz brass section that was shelved for decades. Both hailed as holy grails of Latin jazz, the records are a cocktail of afro-cuban rhythms, frenetic batucadas and fiery sambas, crafted by an unsung hero of the genre.

Francisco Mora Jr was born in Washington in 1947 and grew up in Mexico City, where he would go on to become a session musician for Capitol Records at the age of 21. After completing his studies at Berklee Music College he briefly returned to Mexico City hoping to cultivate an avant-garde movement in the city, but when the Sun Ra Arkestra came to perform, Mora ended up leaving with the band to tour the world for the next seven years.

Through the 90s and into the the 21st century Mora would continue his Pan-American explorations, moving toward a more electronic afro-futurist direction as part of Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig’s Innerzone Orchestra.

Listen below…

‘Mora!’ and ‘Mora! II’ will be available from 26th March on vinyl and digital. Buy HERE.