Natural Black Inventions: Root Strata
Rahsaan Roland Kirk · 1971
37 min · 13 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of jazz styles, showcasing intricate melodies and rhythmic experimentation that challenges conventional boundaries.
Top tracks — play these first
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Something for Trane That Trane Could Have Said — This track serves as a tribute to John Coltrane, capturing Kirk's ability to weave complex harmonies with emotionally charged improvisation, reflecting Coltrane's profound influence.
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Raped Voices — In this piece, Kirk utilizes dissonant sounds and layered textures to convey a potent social message about oppression, demonstrating his commitment to using music as a means of activism.
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Dance of the Lobes — This track showcases Kirk's innovative use of circular breathing techniques, creating an immersive soundscape that invites listeners into an exploratory rhythmic journey.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases intricate compositions and diverse instrumentation, making it a distinctive entry in jazz.
What we noticed
- The album features a wide range of instrumentation, with Kirk playing multiple horns and incorporating unconventional instruments like the manzello and stritch.
- The use of call-and-response patterns between instruments is prevalent, reflecting African musical influences and enhancing the rhythmic complexity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- vibrant explorations of sound
- short bursts of creativity
- playful and unpredictable transitions
- intense emotional expressions
- engaging rhythms for active listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long, cohesive narratives
- prefer straightforward musical structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Natural Black Inventions: Root Strata' was released in 1971, Rahsaan Roland Kirk had already established himself as a formidable talent in jazz, known for his multi-instrumental prowess. This album followed his previous critically acclaimed work, 'Prepare Thyself to Deal with a Miracle,' and marked a continued exploration of his unique blend of hard bop and avant-garde influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Charles Mingus· Sun Ra· Ornette Coleman
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Something for Trane That Trane Could Have Said 3:05
- 2 Island Cry 3:52
- 3 Runnin’ From the Trash 2:12
- 4 Day Dream 3:40
- 5 The Ragman and the Junkman Ran From the Businessman They Laughed and He Cried 3:02
- 6 Breath-A-Thon 1:55
- 7 Rahsaanica 3:40
- 8 Raped Voices 1:54
- 9 Haunted Feelings 2:25
- 10 Prelude Back Home 3:44
- 11 Dance of the Lobes 2:05
- 12 Harder & Harder Spiritual 2:32
- 13 Black Root 3:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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