THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: CRUISING WITH RUBEN & THE JETS

This is Frank's homage to the doo-wop groups he so much loved in the 50's and listen to with his friend Captain Beefheart. He wanted to make a record like Stravinsky did with his new classic compositons. The similar arrangment, thea same feeling, but weird chord progressions. It is not a joke, it is FZ experimenting with different kinds of material. This album was recorded in 1968 in a period of frenetic activity, The brilliant composer was also declare that there is now distinction between high art and low art. The Mothers were only trying to show that they can do whatever music it pleased them. And with great gusto. However, this tentative of trying to get their music on the radio, as they affirm in the cover, falls short in terms of artistic goals. I think if this album was imagined 10 years later FZ with mixed it with music of different kinds like he did with the "Lather" project that upsetted so much WB. There's some great singing by Ray Collins, beautiful melodies, nice arrangements, but it is not an excelent record. 2,5 stars.