[.ca] Off White

Sax and violins:
This remarkable album opens with the hypnotic Contort Yourself, an innovative blend of pulsating rhythms and virtuoso saxophone that is followed by Stained Sheets, a bizarre, eerie song in the form of a phone conversation between James and one Stella Rico, which is probably Lydia Lunch, making yearning, doll-like noises that somehow mirrors the sound of the sax. The relative normality of Tropical Heatwave comes as a relief, although it is also embellished with brilliant instrumental flourishes. The vocals are by Tad Among and Ginger Lee and the song is quite charming. Almost Black Part 1, a female vocal, is angry and provocative, whilst the saxophones go berserk on the nervous and edgy instrumental White Savages. Off Black is the most avant-jazz piece imaginable, whilst the instrumental Almost Black Part 2 has a lilting rhythm punctuated by twittering and squealing sax. White Devil starts out sounding somewhat cacophonic but quickly coheres into a most evocative piece of music. Another highlight is the jazz-punk number Bleached Black, quite a sonic revelation! Although James White's alto sax dominates the sound, the plethora of instruments includes guitar, slide guitar, bass, piano, tenor sax, congas, organ and violin. The often atonal but always cohesive music is most funky and original, reminding one of Captain Beefheat or Sun Ra at their weirdest. This re-issue includes bonus tracks, which make an already recognized masterpiece into a definitive must-have. But listen before you buy; Off White will only appeal to fans of the type of music made by the aforementioned artists, some of Zappa's more experimental stuff and avant-garde jazz.

• Contort Yourself \oAugust Darnell Remix\c
• Contort Yourself
• Stained Sheets
• (Tropical) Heat Wave
• Almost Black, Pt. 1
• White Savages
• Off Black
• Almost Black, Pt. 2
• White Devil
• Bleached Black
• Christmas with Satan \o*\c
• Disposable You \oLive\c\o*\c
• Don't Stop Till You Got Enough \oLive\c\o*\c
• Exorcise the Funk \oLive\c\o*\c