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Emblematic of its title, this is
one of the most unusual albums in the vast discography of visionary
bandleader Sun Ra. In league with such classics as Heliocentric Worlds (ESP, 1965), The Magic City (Evidence, 1965) and Atlantis (Evidence, 1967), this obscure session focuses on similarly intense long-form improvisations. Originally recorded in 1966, Strange Strings is the culmination of Ra's most otherworldly experiments.
Pre-dating
the comprovisations of Butch Morris and the game pieces of John Zorn,
this is a classic example of Ra's conduction methods. With no rehearsal
beforehand, ("a study in ignorance," Ra told his musicians) the results
are surprisingly structured and spaciously uncluttered.
The
only Sun Ra album of its kind, the title track and "Strange Strange"
feature the entire Arkestra playing stringed instruments; ukuleles,
banjos, mandolins, kotos, koras and more. In addition to the array of
exotic strings, the ensemble features Art Jenkins uttering
reverb-drenched mutterings, a huge sheet of tempered metal used as
percussion, and a heady dose of intermittent reverb infiltrating
everything.
"Worlds Approaching" opens the session
dramatically; thundering tympani announcing an ominous, droning bowed
bass ostinato, unleashing a slew of acerbic solos from Ra's front line
of horn men, with Marshall Allen's fervent oboe heading the charge.
Reverb, distortion and echo oscillate randomly throughout the piece,
adding a truly surreal quality. Typical of this vintage, the lo-fi
recording quality elicits a folksy, music vérité ambience.
"Strange
Strings" and "Strange Strange" reverberate with dissonant texture and
percussive clatter; the Arkestra eschews horns entirely, using the
thrift store strings Ra acquired for them instead. Far less accessible
than the opening tune, there is still a definite sense of episodic logic
to these pieces. Similar instrumental groupings materialize with
regularity, spurring on subtle shifts in sound. Punctuated by Jarvis'
explosive percussion tirades, Ra's directorial hand in the proceedings
is obvious.
An anomaly even in the wildly unconventional discography of Sun Ra, this is a revealing listen for those interested in the furthest reaches of experimental music. For those unafraid to take the trip, Strange Strings will definitely take you places you have never been.
Track ListingWorld's Approaching; Strings Strange; Strange Strange