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Walter Becker's Toasted Sesame Seeds: The "Black Man Ray" Origin
9 Feb
Summary
- The song "Black Man Ray" was inspired by a surrealist artist named Man Ray.
- Producer Walter Becker famously toasted sesame seeds during recording sessions.
- The band's sound evolved uniquely through songwriting collaborations.
The origin of China Crisis's song "Black Man Ray" is intrinsically linked to producer Walter Becker's unconventional methods, including toasting sesame seeds in the studio kitchen. This surprising detail emerged during recording sessions for their third album, 'Flaunt the Imperfection,' at Sussex's Parkgate Studio. The band, seeking to emulate the success of their single "Wishful Thinking," worked closely with Becker, who was already a fan of their work.
The song's title was inspired by the surrealist artist Man Ray, with the lyrics offering an enigmatic, autobiographical narrative similar to Ray Charles singing about his own life. This approach aligns with Brian Eno's concept of incorporating "found sounds" and oblique lyrical themes into music. "Black Man Ray" evolved organically from individual songwriting, with vocalist Gary Kemp and the band's other members developing melodies before coming together to craft the signature China Crisis sound.
