For this Record Store Day UK we're delighted to be releasing two incredible albums on Strut artists. Available from 20th April at participating RSD Stores.
STRUT288LP - Sun Ra - Inside The Light World: Sun Ra Meets The OVC
Introducing a musical treasure from the enigmatic Sun Ra's expansive discography, Strut Records proudly presents "Inside The Light World: Sun Ra Meets The OVC”. This extraordinary album unveils previously unreleased recordings from the year 1986 for the very first time, showcasing a unique chapter in the Sun Ra catalogue, officially released for Record Store Day 2024.
Crafted by the forward-thinking technological innovator and rocket scientist, Bill Sebastian, during the mid-1970s, the Outer Space Visual Communicator (OVC) stood as a groundbreaking invention. Instead of producing traditional sound, this keyboard-triggered "instrument" harnessed the power of light, casting mesmerising kaleidoscopic, multicoloured patterns onto a screen suspended above performers on stage. Ra first performed with the idiosyncratic fractal light projector in the late ‘70s and, in 1986, two grainy VHS tapes surfaced featuring Ra
performing ‘Calling Planet Earth’ and ‘Sunset On The Nile’, both accompanied by the OVC’s radiant light painting.
“I was curious about the performances,” explains Irwin Chusid, administrator of the Sun Ra catalogue. “I couldn't locate these terrific versions and wondered from where they originated. I discovered that not only was Bill Sebastian alive but he was still in Boston developing advanced iterations of the OVC, which by then incorporated Virtual Reality (VR) technology.”
Sebastian and Chusid embarked on the intricate task of assembling the session tapes sourced from Sebastian's archives. These recordings, which took place on August 25, 1986, at Mission Control studios in Westford, Massachusetts, were originally spontaneous and never intended for a formal album release. Although the tape transfers yielded remarkable material, the recordings remained in an unmixed state, prompting Chusid to collaborate with engineer Joe Lizzi. Together, they embarked on the journey of reconstructing each track with painstaking
precision.
The end result is nothing short of a revelation, featuring exceptional performances by the Arkestra. This release unveils previously unheard renditions of Sun Ra classics such as 'Love In Outer Space,' 'El Is A Sound Of Joy,' and 'Calling Planet Earth.' Additionally, it offers a complete performance of 'Discipline 27-II,' making it a musical gem for fans and collectors alike.
Sun Ra ‘Inside The Light World’ is released as a double LP housed in a deluxe sleeve. The package features stills from the original OVC videos, extensive liner notes and a full interview with Bill Sebastian. The album is fully remastered from the original reel to reel tapes by Joe Lizzi and Peter Beckmann.
STRUT343LP - Greg Foat & Gigi Masin - The Fish Factory Sessions
Fresh off the heels of their critically acclaimed collaboration album, Dolphin, UK jazz metro Greg Foat and Venetian electronic luminary Gigi Masin join forces once again for The Fish Factory Sessions, an exclusive release for Record Store Day 2024.
This mesmerising studio session was recorded during a live performance at Antonio Feola’s beloved Fish Factory Studios in London, in August 2022. The ensemble that enchanted listeners on "Dolphin" reassembles, featuring the talents of Greg Foat, Gigi Masin, Moses Boyd on drums, and Tom Herbert on bass.
Within this ambient, somewhat Balearic journey, you'll find alternate renditions of Masin's poignant tribute to his late wife, 'Sabena,' and the atmospheric 'Viento Calido,' both of which graced the original "Dolphin" release. In addition, the album introduces two fresh compositions: the uplifting 'Jubilation' and the extended freestyle opus 'Three Piece Suite,' representing some of the most inspired
recordings from their collaboration to date.
Released as a limited single LP, The Fish Factory Sessions is pressed on translucent sky blue vinyl housed in an untreated card sleeve with spot varnish. Mastered by Mark Ashfield at Cosmic Audio.