Review: Hill Collective - Fire In Orbit (Batov Records)

This is a 'Fire In Orbit' that's as if its been sent by Sun Ra himself and has landed on Batov Records - don't get burned, order now!

 

Batov Records' last three released albums; Bolbec's' 'Foutu Félin' (see review HERE), Kronstad 23's 'Dødehavet' (see review HERE), and Ori Kaplan & Lihu Melamed's 'Reverie' (see review HERE) were at the leftfield jazzy, cinematic, libarary, glogal, folky psych end, Brighton's Hill Collective are at the Sun Ra end and they're hot!

For a debut album, its even more impressive that these jazz-adjacents on the south coast have migrated locally in 3 years of gigs and festival appearances (Love Supreme and The Great Escape).

We're told that the tracks were recorded over three unhurried days at Sea Breeze Studios by the band themselves, the album moves through chorus–solo–chorus forms, call-and-response and collective improvisation — led by alto saxophonist Pete Piskov and a flexible, often double-digit ensemble whose influences (Eric Dolphy's angular lyricism, Art Ensemble of Chicago's collective consciousness, touches of Latin rhythm and Arabic modality) are absorbed rather than quoted.

Don't be scared off by the cover or the mild-mannered single, 'A House Is A Home Like Honey', the other 3 lengthy tracks, the title track, 'Keep Breathing' and 'A Song for A Blossom Baby' are all spiritually deep. .

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Fire In Orbit | Hill Collective

Artist: Hill Collective 

Title: Fire In Orbit

Release date: 17th July, 2026

Label: Batov Records 

Cat. No: BTR137

Format:  LP vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Pete Piskov - Alto Saxophone, Percussion

Joe Edwards - Drumkit, Congas, Percussion
Joe Snelling - Double Bass
Luke Congdon - Piano (1, 3, 4), Keys (2)
Chris Luu - Keys (1, 3, 4), Piano (2), Vocals
Vincent Malloch - Electric Guitar
Will Roberts - Trombone
Ivy Loska - Cornet
Jay Orpana - Flute, Vocals
Max Generowicz - Violin (3, 4)
Sudhi S Pooniyil - Tabla (4)

All compositions by Pete Piskov
Recorded by Joe Edwards and Will Roberts at Sea Breeze Studios
Mixed by Pete Piskov
Mastered by Will Roberts