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Bill Laswell

Over the course of some three decades, visionary bassist-producer Bill Laswell has been one of the most prolific and restlessly creative forces in contemporary music. A sound conceptualist who has always been a step ahead of the curve, he has put his inimitable stamp on nearly 3,000 recording projects by such artists as Mick Jagger, Yoko Ono, Iggy Pop, Laurie Anderson, Brian Eno, Bootsy Collins, Nine Inch Nails, Motorhead, Peter Gabriel, Blur, The Ramones, George Clinton, Pharaoh Sanders, The Dalai Lama, Matisyahu, Angelique Kidjo, DJ Krush, RAMM:ΣLL:ZΣΣ, Sting, The Last Poets, Afrika Bambaataa, Julian Schnabel, Whitney Houston, Manu Dibango, Fela Kuti and most notably Herbie Hancock, who collaborated with Laswell for the pivotal 1983 smash-hit single "Rock-It" which introduced scratching to the mainstream, inspired a generation of turntablists and gave the great jazz pianist instant street credibility among the burgeoning hip-hop cognoscenti.

Laswell's sense of creative daring as a producer was further demonstrated on several recordings that have kept him on the cutting edge, including Afrika Bambaataa's collaboration with John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten of Sex Pistols fame) on World Destruction and PiL's Album (which brought together an unlikely pairing of drumming greats Ginger Baker and Tony Williams, synth-pop pioneer Ryuichi Sakamoto of Yellow Magic Orchestra fame and rising guitar star Steve Vai). His spoken word collaborations with William S. Burroughs and expatriate writer-composer Paul Bowles have gone against the grain of music industry trends while his radical remixes (or re-constructions) of landmark recordings by Miles Davis (Panthalassa), Carlos Santana (Divine Light), Bob Marley (Dreams of Freedom) and a vast scan of dub-related and atmospheric ambient projects have gone on to further defined Laswell’s presence as a revolutionary ikonoklast.

Bill Laswell has helped in generating several innovative recording labels such as Celluloid, Subharmonic, Black Arc, and Innerhythmic. Along with Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records (Bob Marley and U2), he established the AXIOM label in 1989. M.O.D. Technologies, his most recent imprint is releasing projects by Method Of Defiance, Lee "Scratch" Perry, PRAXIS, Garrison Hawk with Sly & Robbie, Bernie Worrell, The Process (with Red Hot Chili Peppers' drummer Chad Smith and pianist Jon Baptiste) and progressive/futuristic music from Ethiopia (CDs/DVDs).

As a player, Laswell’s bass lines resound with rare authority on groundbreaking projects by Tabla Beat Science (with Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan), his avant-funk band Material, the apocalyptic assault of Last Exit (with Sonny Sharrock), his progressive dub effected Method of Defiance and the throbbingly intense power trios, Massacre (with Fred Frith and Charles Hayward), Painkiller (with John Zorn and Mick Harris), Praxis (with Buckethead and Brain), Blixt (with Raoul Bjorkenheim and Morgan Agren) and the latest (2014) Bladerunner (with John Zorna and Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo).

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8
Album Review

John Zorn and Bill Laswell: Memoria

Read "Memoria" reviewed by Nenad Georgievski


John Zorn and Bill Laswell, two towering figures of the New York Downtown scene, have once again joined forces to deliver a captivating musical experience, entitled Memoria. Following the success of their previous collaboration, The Cleansing, (Tzadik, 2021) this new release pays tribute to three artistic visionaries whose legacies continue to inspire and shape the realms of creativity and artistic integrity. The album title, Memoria, serves as a heartfelt tribute to three influential figures who have passed away: ...

4
Album Review

Wadada Leo Smith: Fire Illuminations

Read "Fire Illuminations" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic


Eighty-one year old trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith comes out flaring like Bitches Brew era Miles Davis, as Fire Illuminations jumps the funk rock from the break of the muscular conflagration “Ntozake." And the grunge jazz clips along as guitarists Nels Cline, Brandon Ross, and Lamar Smith vie, bite, sting, and quarrel over an insistent bass drum power-groove courtesy of bassists Bill Laswell and Melvin Gibbs, percussionist Mauro Refosco, drummer Pheeroan aKlaff, and the deep space electronics of Hardedge.

5
Album Review

Wadada Leo Smith: Fire Illuminations

Read "Fire Illuminations" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith fronts lots of different bands and puts out lots of albums. After a busy period when he released five boxed sets, totaling 27 CDs, here he debuts his new all-star ensemble Orange Wave Electric, with the download-only offering, Fire Illuminations. As the band name implies, the sound is electric, featuring three electric guitarists, two electric bassists and an electronicist, joining the leader's horn, percussionist Mauro Refosco and drummer Pheeroan aKLaff. For comparison's sake--and using ...

10
Album Review

John Zorn and Bill Laswell: The Cleansing

Read "The Cleansing" reviewed by Nenad Georgievski


The Cleansing represents a meeting between two titans of contemporary music--composer and saxophonist John Zorn, and bassist and composer Bill Laswell. Both have spent over forty years camped out in spaces between avant-garde, experimental, jazz, improv, psychedelia, noise and ambient, each having created immersive, forward-thinking, sometimes brutal, and colorful music worlds. They have been pushing the boundaries of the possible for a long time; their almost single-minded commitment has made them leading figures in a broad range of contemporary musics ...

8
Album Review

Stephan Thelen: Fractal Guitar 2 - Remixes

Read "Fractal Guitar 2 - Remixes" reviewed by Mark Sullivan


Guitarist & composer Stephan Thelen's experimental guitar-fest Fractal Guitar (MoonJune Records, 2019) was followed by Fractal Guitar Remixes And Extra Tracks (MoonJune Records, 2019), a substantially fresh look at the material, as well as an expansion. For the sequel Fractal Guitar 2 (Moonjune Records, 2021) Thelen produced an even more radical approach to contemporary guitar-driven music. The remixes are also a step beyond. To start with, the album could just as well have been titled “Point Of Inflection ...

21
Album Review

Wadada Leo Smith with Milford Graves and Bill Laswell: Sacred Ceremonies

Read "Sacred Ceremonies" reviewed by Karl Ackermann


As he approached his eightieth birthday, Wadada Leo Smith could have been content to sit out the year of nothingness that Covid-19 brought in 2020 and beyond. With his 2013 Pulitzer Prize nomination, a 2016 Doris Duke Award, and nearly one-hundred recording credits, the trumpeter & multi-instrumentalist has landed at the top of countless polls throughout his distinguished career. But, stepping away from the music, if only for a brief respite, is not part of the improviser's plan so, in ...

1
Live Review

Bill Laswell/Milford Graves/John Zorn at The Stone

Read "Bill Laswell/Milford Graves/John Zorn at The Stone" reviewed by Tyran Grillo


Bill Laswell/Milford Graves/John Zorn The Stone New York, NY December 19, 2017 How do you fit a camel through the eye of a needle? On December 19, the music summoned by Bill Laswell, Milford Graves, and John Zorn answered that very question: By starting with a larger needle, of course. Indeed, what began on poster as a mere assembly of bass, drums, and alto saxophone ended up expanding the parameters of its ...

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Recording

Sonar's The Bill Laswell Mix Translations To Be Released On Limited Edition 12-inch Vinyl Ep On 7d Media

Sonar's The Bill Laswell Mix Translations To Be Released On Limited Edition 12-inch Vinyl Ep On 7d Media

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

The Swiss quartet Sonar has quickly gained international reputation for creating a unique blend of forward-thinking instrumental music imbued with power, tension and emotional identity. With their slow-build approach to dramaturgy and avoidance of conventional forms, they focus on collective group efforts and a deeper kind of interaction amongst their members Stephan Thelen (guitar), Bernhard Wagner (guitar), Christian Kuntner (electric bass) and Manuel Pasquinelli (drums). For their internationally acclaimed fourth album Vortex (RareNoiseRecords), The made an unexpected move by adding ...

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Recording

M.O.D. Technologies To Release Hu Vibrational's The Epic Botanical Beat Suite - With Special Guests Eivind Aarset, Bill Laswell And More!

M.O.D. Technologies To Release Hu Vibrational's The Epic Botanical Beat Suite - With Special Guests Eivind Aarset, Bill Laswell And More!

Source: hubtone PR

Hu Vibrational's new album mixes deep percussive African rhythms and Afro-jazz with elements of hip-hop and electronica. Recorded and mixed at Bill Laswell’s state of the art studio, this is the fourth album by Hu Vibrational and for those who bought the previous 3 releases this will not disappoint! Produced and mixed by Adam Rudolph together with longtime Laswell engineer James Dellatacoma, the album features 7 world music percussionists along several special guests including Bill Laswell hitting the deep pockets ...

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Recording

Akira Sakata, Pete Cosey, Hamid Drake, Bill Laswell - Two Releases Out On M.O.D. Technologies As Part Of Incunabula Digital Series

Akira Sakata, Pete Cosey, Hamid Drake, Bill Laswell - Two Releases Out On M.O.D. Technologies As Part Of Incunabula Digital Series

Source: hubtone PR

Akira Sakata with Bill Laswell, Pete Cosey, Hamid Drake KAIGARABUSHI - BILL LASWELL REMIX Japanese free jazz icon Akira Sakata in collaboration with the legendary guitarist Pete Cosey (Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf), drummer Hamid Drake and bassist Bill Laswell. A remix of a track from the album fisherman's.com released in 2001, it offers traditional Japanese folk art meets funk and free improvisation. Mix- construction by Bill Laswell. TRACK: 1. Kaigarabushi Return (11:44) BILL LASWELL'S BILMAWN - LITTLE VILLAGE ...

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Recording

Jon Batiste, Chad Smith, Bill Laswell - M.O.D. Technologies Releases Collaboration Of Three Outstanding Musical Voices, The Process.

Jon Batiste, Chad Smith, Bill Laswell - M.O.D. Technologies Releases Collaboration Of Three Outstanding Musical Voices, The Process.

Source: hubtone PR

Transformative pianist and uplifting young visionary from jny: New York City via New Orleans – Jon Batiste, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer – Chad Smith and legendary bassist / producer – Bill Laswell, detonate avant-funk, African styles, electric Miles Davis, Meters, Mutant Hip Hop, Ginger Baker…and more, on their album called The Process. A sonic / musical assault... featuring Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio), Killah Priest (Wu-Tang Clan) and others. “I wanted to take a risk and be inspired ...

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Recording

Bill Laswell's M.O.D. Technologies Presents Helio Parallax Featuring A Line-up Of Distinctive Guest Artists - Plus Record Release Party

Bill Laswell's M.O.D. Technologies Presents Helio Parallax Featuring A Line-up Of Distinctive Guest Artists - Plus Record Release Party

Source: Antje Hübner

With pioneering explorations in time and space, Helio Parallax presents a sound deeply rooted in spiritual expression. It is true analog electronic music (no laptops) with cinematic landscapes (think Blade Runner meets Miles Davis’ Elevator To The Gallows sound track) anchored by deep, dub/hip-hop beats - an atmospheric landscape coined “Sci-Fi Dub Noir.” Josh Werner (Wu Tang, Lee Scratch Perry, CocoRosie, Higgins Waterproof Black Magic Band) leads the charge with production and compositions born from futuristic collisionist thought. As Bass ...

Recording

Produced By Bill Laswell, Mumpbeak, Self-Titled Debut On Rarenoise Features All-Star Cast

Produced By Bill Laswell, Mumpbeak, Self-Titled Debut On Rarenoise Features All-Star Cast

Source: Antje Hübner

New York - It is safe to say that you have never before heard anything quite like Mumpbeak. Throbbing with intensity and a sense of mystery and searching on each track and imbued with undeniable virtuosity, this powerhouse outing is a significant extension of the prog-rock legacy established by the likes of King Crimson, Yes, EL&P, Gentle Giant and others. Fueled by the formidable yet flexible backbeats of Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Naked Truth) and grounded by the humungous fuzz ...

Recording

Invasion Group In Collaboration With Innerhythmic Records To Issue First Ever Acoustic Solo Bass Recording By Bill Laswell, Means Of Deliverance

Invasion Group In Collaboration With Innerhythmic Records To Issue First Ever Acoustic Solo Bass Recording By Bill Laswell, Means Of Deliverance

Source: Antje Hübner

AVAILABLE ON INNERHYTHMIC.COM, IN STORES AND ONLINE OCTOBER 16, 2012 Innerhythmic Records, founded by musician and producer Bill Laswell, presents a milestone release, a rare return to the roots. In keeping with his distinguished career, Laswell decided to go solo and acoustic. Means of Deliverance showcases original solo pieces on an innovatively designed instrument, the Warwick Alien fretless four-string acoustic bass guitar. This work adds to an acclaimed catalog of forward-thinking projects and puts Laswell in touch with his foundational ...

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Recording

Raoul Bjorkenheim, Bill Laswell and Morgan Agren - Blixt (2011)

Raoul Bjorkenheim, Bill Laswell and Morgan Agren - Blixt (2011)

Source: Something Else!

Sounding something like neo-prog meets outjazz, the music of Raoul Bjorkenheim, Bill Laswell and Morgan Agren is just as interesting for what it does as what it doesn't do. For all of the joys of their ear-melting inferno “Black Whole," the opening cut on Blixt, this power trio is also more than capable of downshifting into brilliantly coiled moments like “Shifting Sands Closing Hour," with its mysterious far-east feel. They dash through the rumbling angular mysteries of “Moon Tune," but ...

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Recording

Raoul Bjorkenheim, Bill Laswell, Morgan Agren - Blixt (Cuneiform, 2011) ****a1/2

Raoul Bjorkenheim, Bill Laswell, Morgan Agren - Blixt (Cuneiform, 2011) ****a1/2

Source: Free Jazz by Stef Gijssels

By Paul Acquaro I suppose that Blixt is best described as a rock power trio. Working with industrial strength rhythms, thickly distorted leads and dark enveloping bass, the trio moves through a series of tough minded improvisations bracketed by short heads. However, as tough and stormy as the tunes may get at times, the musicianship and sensibilities of all involved provide enough nuance and sophistication to keep even the heaviest moments buoyant. That being said, the album begins with a ...

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Recording

Bill Laswell, Raoul Bjorkenheim and Morgan Agren - Blixt (Cuneiform, 2011)

Bill Laswell, Raoul Bjorkenheim and Morgan Agren - Blixt (Cuneiform, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

Blixt, the jazz fusion/progressive rock trio of Bill Laswell on bass, Raoul Bjorkenheim on guitar and Morgan Agren is a powerful one filled with tricky lead statements and intricate improvisational sections. Laswell is famous as a legendary producer and musician on the “downtown" improvisational scene in New York city, while Bjorkenheim, late of Finland (an improvisational hotbed all its own filled with great composers and musicians) has had his profile rise with tenures in the fusionesque band Krakatau and The ...

Jim Goetsch
saxophone

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Fire Illuminations

Kabell Records
2023

buy

Memoria

Tzadik
2023

buy

Misogi

Self Produced
2022

buy

Sacred Ceremonies

TUM Records
2021

buy

Fractal Guitar 2 -...

MoonJune Records
2021

buy

Social Justice – A Fire for Reimagining the World

From: Sacred Ceremonies
By Bill Laswell

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