Founded in the late '60s by former Blue Note artist Kenny Cox, Detroit's Strata Records only released a handful of titles but gained a cult-like following from record collectors & jazz lovers. Perhaps the best known release from the imprint, Saturday Night Special, is a jazz-fusion classic, featuring dazzling organ, electric piano, and Mellotron work by bandleader Lyman Woodard. Aside from the charming, "almost low-fi aesthetic" and the r&b & afro-cuban influences, the LP summons up "images of a vast industrial landscape, assembly lines and urban-decay," and check out the gnarly artwork—photographed by Leni Sinclair, who's responsible for iconic shots of Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, John Coltrane, and more, the image displays contents of Woodard's pockets after a show: papers, cash, and a pistol. Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing 
• gatefold sleeve
• catalog no.: BBE414ALPb
• original release year: 1975
• music label: BBE 2023

reviewed by rei kwondo 02/2018