Marshall Allen, Michael Ray, and Damon R. Choice were members of Sun Ra's Arkestra.[7] Phish often watched Sun Ra videos on their tour bus; Jon Fishman would listen to Sun Ra interviews after Phish concerts.[9]
Surrender to the Air marked the beginning of Trey Anastasio's solo career.
Critical reception
AllMusic wrote that the album "recalls a free form, improvisation-based jazz record more than hippie rock; in that sense, it is close to the actual spirit of the Grateful Dead, if not their sound."[4] The Tampa Bay Times called it "more like a disappointing mish-mash of instrumental indulgences than any sort of coherent musical statement."[10] The Tulsa World called the album "hippie avant garde," writing that Anastasio "jumps feet first into an insanity of jazz."[11]
