For my family music has a way of keeping memories alive. FOr me a song can remind me of someone we love, bring back a special moment, or help us express feelings that are sometimes difficult to put into words. That’s what caught my attention about “Shel Of Moor,” a two-part musical tribute from Toronto’s spiritual jazz collective astral RIDDIMS.
The song honors Sheldon Moore, also known as DJ S Luv, a musician, producer, and writer who played an important role in the lives and music of his bandmates in Pocket Dwellers. This would have been a new group and musician for us to have studied in Charlie’s #Homeschool Music Class but since learning shouldn’t stop when someone graduates I play on looking this group up this evening to share there music with my family. Would you want to join us?
When someone is part of your creative family, their influence doesn’t simply disappear when they’re gone. Their ideas, their encouragement, and the standards they helped establish can continue to shape the work you do. For Dennis Passley, the leader of astral RIDDIMS and a former bandmate of Sheldon, music became a way to honor that lasting connection. The result is “Shel Of Moor,” a song built around two ideas that help tell Sheldon’s story: wisdom and love.
The Story Behind “Shel Of Moor”– Sheldon Moore was known to many people as DJ S Luv. According to Dennis Passley, Sheldon was the person his Pocket Dwellers bandmates trusted to give the final word on their music. A song wasn’t finished until Sheldon had heard it. His ear for writing and production helped the group decide when a piece was ready, making him an important part of the creative process.
Passley wrote “Shel Of Moor” in Sheldon’s memory following his death from colon cancer. In the press release announcing the tribute, Passley explains that Sheldon’s influence went beyond his musical abilities. He remembers a man whose wisdom and love touched both the work he created and the people around him. That personal connection gives the song its meaning. Rather than simply remembering a musician’s accomplishments, Passley has created a piece that reflects the qualities his friend brought into the room.
“Shel Of Moor” is structured in two movements, each representing a different aspect of Sheldon’s legacy. “Tamusni”: Wisdom The first movement, “Tamusni,” is described by Passley as the Moorish word for wisdom. It represents Sheldon’s role as the careful listener and trusted creative voice whose judgment helped shape the band’s music. He was the person who made sure a song met the standard before it was considered complete.
That kind of contribution can be difficult to measure. Sometimes the person who makes the greatest difference isn’t the one standing at the front of the stage. It’s the person whose insight helps everyone else bring their best work forward. “Tayri”: Love The second movement, “Tayri,” is described as the Moorish word for love.
Passley connects this movement to Sheldon’s name, DJ S Luv, and the love he shared through his music, family, friends, and creative life. Together, the two movements form a tribute to the qualities Passley remembers most: wisdom and love. The title “Shel Of Moor” also reflects Passley’s explanation of Sheldon’s name and the qualities he associated with him. It is a personal homage intended to keep his friend’s influence present through music.
Led by Dennis Passley, astral RIDDIMS is a Toronto-based 13-piece collective bringing together spiritual jazz, jazz funk, soul, and global groove. The group combines horns, strings, keyboards, and a rhythm section to create a rich ensemble sound. Its music draws inspiration from jazz traditions while giving individual musicians room to contribute their own voices.
The collective’s musical influences include artists and groups such as Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, Yusef Lateef, Kamasi Washington, Sons of Kemet, Adrian Younge, and El Michels Affair. On “Shel Of Moor,” Lala Noel’s vocals float above a musical arrangement featuring Passley on tenor saxophone and Mellotron, Ernesto Barahona on trombone, Tom Moffett on trumpet, and Yvonne Moir on baritone saxophone.
The rhythm section features Tom Juhas on guitar, Dave Leitao on keyboards, Jon Hyde on drums, Dave Gouveia on percussion, and Josh Daignault on bass. Dave Plowman engineered and mixed the track, with mastering by Kevin McPhee at East End Mastering. The single was released on September 17, ahead of the album’s September 30 release.
“Shel Of Moor” appears on astral RIDDIMS’ debut album, The Big Band Theory. The album brings together a rotating group of horn and string players, expanding the collective’s musical palette across the record. Additional musicians include flutists Anh Phung and Karen Ng, with Ng also contributing alto saxophone; Yvonne Moir on bass clarinet; violinist Maddie Kay; cellist Brendan Rogers; and Martino Lozej on keyboards. Passley also contributes bass clarinet throughout the album.
The album artwork was created by Keessa Lynch, and Nehal El-Hadi wrote the liner notes. For listeners who appreciate layered arrangements, spiritual jazz, and music that draws on a range of traditions, astral RIDDIMS offers a large ensemble sound built around collaboration and musical exploration.
You can explore the music through the band’s listening platforms:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- SoundCloud
- Bandcamp
Visit the band’s official pages through the links provided with the original release to listen and learn more.
See astral RIDDIMS Live in Toronto For listeners in Toronto, the band has also announced a live performance: November 15 — Toronto, Ontario Venue: BSMT 254 The performance is listed alongside Disaster Pony. The press release also mentions an album-release event at Longboat with Skratch Bastid and Joe Claussell, but it does not provide a date for that event in the supplied information. Check the band’s official channels for additional details before making plans.
What stands out to me about “Shel Of Moor” is the story behind it. Dennis Passley is honoring someone whose contribution to music went beyond performing. Sheldon Moore was a trusted voice, a thoughtful listener, and a friend whose influence helped shape the work of the people around him.
Through the two movements of “Shel Of Moor,” Passley has found a way to celebrate both the wisdom Sheldon shared and the love he gave to his family, friends, and music. A tribute like this reminds us that people can continue to influence the world through the things they teach us, the memories they leave behind, and the work we carry forward in their honor.
If you’re a fan of spiritual jazz, jazz funk, soul, or large ensemble music, astral RIDDIMS and The Big Band Theory may be worth exploring. Have you ever heard a song that reminded you of someone special? I’d love to hear about the music that brings your favorite memories back to life.
Source: Press information supplied by Eric Alper for astral RIDDIMS. This feature is based on the supplied release and is not a firsthand review of the album.
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
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Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
