Nuclear War: A Tribute to Sun Ra: Volume 1 [coll] – [Red Hot]

aarbor   4/3/2024   12-inch, Jazz

The first in a series called “Red Hot and Ra” this record showcases the compositions of Georgia Anne Muldrow (L.A.) , Angel Bat Dawid (Atlanta->Kenya->Chicago), Malcolm Jiyane (South Africa) and Irreversible Entanglements (Philadelphia). These are covers and reinterpretations of “Nuclear War,” Sun Ra’s 1981 song “protesting the meltdown at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant near Philadelphia, where Ra and the Arkestra lived. It’s full of chaotic structure, mind-warping improvisation, eye-popping variety and groove worthy of Sun Ra. Muldrow molds the song into a gangsta funk elegy, then Bat Dawid goes full cosmic squawk for a three-movement, half-hour version that gazes over the edge of madness. Irreversible Entanglements (who feature Moor Mother among their number) take you on a trip through free skronk, sarcastic marching band pageantry, and glorious post-hip-hop that feels, as strong as an ox and like it could collapse at any minute. AArbor