Woo Hoo Bernie!

Leaving Africa now & heading on to a run of Dub adjacent sounds, but first, although this is not Dub but a blast of jazz/funk/classical, I'm sharing it now, because I feel like it. 

A brief interlude before some Ambient Dub, Dub techno, & Dub house. Just a palate cleanser before the rest of Dubwise. 

 

I gathered up this one quite recently...in fact when I was working on the X-Ambias Day shares this past December.

In the essay sheet included in Outland, Bill sez:
       " I got along very well with Peter and obviously we did many things together. I think of his stories. Starting out, he was playing guitar and worked in a bank. Everyday going home, with his guitar, he would pass a river, and stop and play with the river flowing. I think that’s where the ambient obsession began. I made a piece with Bernie Worrell called "By a River (for Peter)". It is the first track of the box set compilation Die Welt ist Klang: a Tribute to Pete Namlook."

 

 

Well, that track is on this mixtape that Bill made for Sean Westergaard for broadcast on his July 29, 2016 show What It Is on WCBN. It was Bill's high-five way of sharing his camaradarie for Bernie Worrell, a lost friend.

Bernie had died the previos June 24. 

R.I.P. Never forget. 

 

 

Book of Woo Vol.1: Bill Laswell Mix Tape, broadcast July 29,2016.
decryption code in comments

Alabama 
Blood Secrets 
At Mos'Spheres 
Volunteered Slavery / Bern's Blues / Outer Spaceways 
Woo Doo 
By a River (for Peter) 
X-Factor 
In a Silent Way 
Flashlight - Redux 
Revelation in Black Light 
Flex 
Outer Woo
I'd Rather Be with You 
Black & Strong (Homesick)

 

 

Enjoy,
NØ

Merry X-Ambias to All

Staying with Namlook While Playing the Bills

Continuing on from the twelve days of Namlook, here's a colossus 6xCD set gifted to you all, my Frenz, from Bill Laswell & Pete Namlook...

The partnership here began after Pete discovered that Laswell had used samples from early Fax releases in his own projects. What started as a straightforward exchange quickly evolved into a mutual admiration.

As to their intial collaborations, Laswell sez
     "We began sending music back and forth, from Frankfurt to Brooklyn and back, This led to multiple collaborations, including other series like Psychonavigation and The Dark Side Of The Moog."  

When Laswell & Namlook first joined forces, both were already established figures in the music industry. Laswell, based in New York, was a renowned producer with a diverse client list that spanned multiple genres. He had also founded the Axiom label in 1989, contributing to groundbreaking work in Ambient, Dub, & world music. Namlook, a native of Frankfurt, was a key player in the Ambient techno scene as well as being the founder of the label FAX +49-69/450464.

The Outland series represents a fusion of the duo's distinct musical styles. It explores sound as a medium for emotional & contemplative experiences. Laswell's signature basslines / experimental soundscapes blend with Namlook's ethereal textures & complex sonic layering. Each album offers a unique auditory experience, ranging from Ambient tranquility to cosmic intensity.

Laswell recalls the inception of  Outland during an Asian tour with his friend Akira Sakata:                         "I managed to record a lot of traditional Mongolian music, which is heavy drone singing, the ultimate Ambient. I brought these recordings to Pete in Frankfurt, & that was the origins of Outland 1",  he sez. 

 

Bill Laswell & Pete Namlook - Outland 6xCD, Cold Spring CSR327DX, 2023.

Outland CD1: From the Earth to the Ceiling

From the Earth to the Ceiling Parts 1 - 12

 

 

     

Spanning five albums released over a thirteen-year period starting in 1994, this 6xCD box set from Cold Spring serves as a tribute to the creative chemistry between Laswell & Namlook. The set houses the five Outland albums along with a new sixth album, Blackland, featuring dense, bass space drone compositions by Laswell.

 

Outland CD2: African Virus (Electronic Sonata with a Cold, Loved by Nature)

African Virus Part 1    
African Virus Part 2    
African Virus Part 3    
African Virus Part 4    
African Virus Part 5    
African Virus Part 6

 

 

 

Since I'm sharing these, I might comment on these CDs. Give them a chance. If you've stuck with the twelve days of Namlook, then you kinda know what's going on. But give 'em a chance. In my opinion, Pete found out Bill was using some of Nam's samples & just wanted them to work together. Everybody & their uncle wanted to work with Bill, fer Crisesakes.  It appears that while Bill was touring Asian he got into Mongolian drone. He gave Pete the recordings & turned him loose. So CD1 is almost Namlook XIII (if there wasn't already one, but you know what I mean). I think Bill tried to insert his own bent on the proceedings after that. CD2 has a bit more Bill. But give 'em a chance.

 

 

 

Outland CD3 -

Definition of Life    
The Question of Containment    
Keeper of the Purple Twilight    
DSTC

 

 

 

     

By the first track of CD3, “Definition of Lfe” you'll realize that now Bill is conducting.

 

Outland CD4 -    

The Old World    
East Meets West    
Our Small Blue World    
Bella Prime    
Physical Transformation    
African Dub    
East Leaves West    
DSPill

 

 

     

From that point on it just gets better, culminating in the final truth that rounds out CD5... “The Origin” (at last!).

 

 

Outland CD5 -

Outland Exploration   
An Intelligent Force    
Object Approaching    
N-Dimensional    
The Origin

 

 

   

& then outward into Blackland, back to the CD1-style single track (39+ minutes) as (& here I sing the praise, hallelujah) only Bill Laswell can. What more of a tribute to Pete Namlook than completing the circle, bringing it back to the beginning. Sublime. 

Outland CD6 - Blackland (Bill Laswell - producer, bassist, effects) 

 

 

Miss ya, Pete & stay well as you may, Bill. With love. Give 'em a chance.

Merry X-ambias to all.
NØ

Playing the Laswell Bill with Jarring Effects

Before I plunge into June's madness, I'm going to take this day for Playing my Bills. I Played my Nelson Bill a few days ago so the only one due right now is my Laswell Bill. & perfectly, this ties right in with another request from the ole Bill collector hisself, Richie M.

On the Rachid Taha share Mister Muster sez:
     "Nicely, thank you Nate. Looking forward to giving this a listen. Um, just out of curiosity, and only mentioned because Algeria's next door to Morocco, but do you have anything by Aisha Kandisha's Jarring Effects and if so, would you consider posting some at some point? I used to have a tape of El Buya but it vanished some time ago."  

Pretty clever how he segued the geographic proximity of Algeria / Morocco into a sly request. 

 

 

Aisha Kandisha's Jarring Effects are indeed from Morocco,  formed in Marrakech in 1987 by Abdou El Shaheed, Habib El Malak, & Pat Jabbar, to develop a Shabee (a popular Moroccan music) / Dance crossover, influenced by diverse elements such as Gnawa, Reggae, Ragga, HipHop, Ambient, Trance, House, & experimental noises.

The group was named after a spirit from the Moroccan mythology. Aisha Kandisha appears in the form of a woman. Legion. Manifold. A Mass Psychosis. 25 years ago Paul Bowles calculated that she was married to some 35,000 men in Morocco. A lot of the people in Ber Rechid, a Moroccan  psychiatric Hospital, are married to her.

In 1988 Cheb My Ahmed, S’Mohamed Kbirr, & Cheb Qchatar joined the band. Their first recordings were made for the debut album, El Buya. The label Barraka el Farnatshi Productions was started in 1990 to release & distribute the album, which got a surprising positive reaction from all around the globe. During this time all band members were still students & so promoting the album with a live tour was not possible. 

 

Aisha Kandisha's Jarring Effects – El Buya, Barraka el Farnatshi Barbarity 002, 1990.
decryption codes in comments

Before Jedba - 
Aisha    
Majiti Mataliti    
El Mouka    
Sankara    

Jedba -     
Moulsinnia    
El Farrah    
Laroussa    
Roof Fish Suck 2

 

 

 

In the meantime, an American journalist, whom the band met at Paul Bowles' home in Tangiers, made contact with Bill Laswell in 1992. Laswell became producer & bassist for Shabeesation, released in 1993. The New York experience, which included jams with Omar Ben Hassan from the Last Poets & Bernie Worrell from Funkadelic/Parliament, helped the band a lot to get a worldwide response as well as to find booking agencies for their first Europe tour in 1994. 

Shabeesation is how I'm Playing the Laswell Bill. 

When Jarring Effects teamed up with Laswell, the mind-bendingly prolific bassist/producer added his well known eclectic mosaic of traditional & contemporary Arabic/Indian elements, ambient electronica & acid jazz, meticulously layered atop narcotic, dub-infused beats with thick, throbbing bass riffs, mantra-like in their disciplined minimalism. 

 A Shabeesation Tour 94/95 followed the release & was a big success, with audiences varying from small Jazz Clubs to Open Airs with over 40,000 attendees. Everyone seemed to be deeply enthralled by the Marrakshi Jedba Beat. 

 

 

 

Aisha Kandisha’s Jarring Effects - Shabeesation, Rycodisc RCD10336, 1993.

A Muey A Muey
Dunya
Fin Roh
Nbrik
Nbrik Dub
Lahbab
Nenzak    
Zin    
El Harb

 

 

 

Thanks Richie,
NØ

Outstanding Debts...Playing the Laswell Bill

It's the first of the month...the vultures are circling, they smell fresh blood.

The debt collectors have been hounding me like wolves around a wounded elk. It's been a long time since I played my Bills. I always have three Bills to play, my Nelson Bill, my Laswell Bill, & my Burroughs Bill. I was playing them on a regular basis, but recently funs have been tight & I haven't been doing my dootie.

So for the next three shares I'll try to get caught up by playing all three Bills. I don't want my credit ratings to tank. 

 

 

I guess I'll start with my Laswell Bill. 

 

Back in September 2022, Bill was stricken with medical issues (go read "Help One of the Good Ones" here if you're not familiar with his problems). He has not been able to perform or produce others since then. It has been quite a financial burden. So I want to make sure I'm not taking any geld from Bill's pocket. Therefore I'm playing the Laswell Bill with a compilation of tunes that I find appropriate.

 

 

Bill Laswell - Man from Orange, NØ comps., 2025
decryption codes in comments

Part 1: O.A.O -
O.A.O. - Material
Simulacra - Bill Laswell
Beta One-Assyrian Dub - Automaton
Seven Souls (The Secret Name) featuring Burroughs Bill - Bill Laswell
Patterns of War - Jahbulon
Babylon Site - Bill Laswell
Aeon - Bill Laswell
Conform to the Rhythm (live) - Material

 

Part 2: Orange Music -
Golden Spiral - Bill Laswell
A Greater Source of Power - Bill Laswell
Dystopia - Bill Laswell
Elijah's Lament - Jahbulon
The Western Lands (A Dangerous Road mix) featuring Burroughs Bill - Material
Ariwa Dub Club - Mad Professor
Night City - Bill Laswell
The Creator has a Master Plan (live) - Material

 

 

Enjoy,
NØ

Dag Nab It - Playing the Bills Once More

DaG left a comment during Dubtember crazeeness (Dubtember 27) asking if I was familiar with Dub of Passover by David Gould & Bill Laswell. 

 

Well, anyone familiar with this dump knows that I'ma fan of all things Laswell. Not being familiar with this release, I searched it out & bought a copy. This is Bill's dub translation of David Solid Goulds Feast of the Passover overdubbed at Orange Music in West Orange, NJ. Well worth it. 

Thanks DaG. Thought I'd share it with you all...

 

David Solid Gould vs Bill Laswell - Dub of the Passover, Tzadik TZ8159, 2011.
decryption code in comments

Divine Dub    
Dub of Affliction    
Dub Questions    
Dub Plagues    
Jah Dub    1
Dub is Mighty
Who Knows Dub?    
Goat's Dub    
May the Dub Arise    
Once We Were Dub    
Peace Dub    
Next Dub in Jerusalem

Enjoy,
NØ

Help One of the Good Ones

 

I just learned from Music*Hertz blog that iconic bass player / producer Bill Laswell is in need of help from his fans, friends, & fellow artists. 

A note from Bill, titled "Entering the 2nd phase of Sacred Begging: EMERGENCY" included details of Laswell's difficulties over the pandemic with preexisting health conditions, his recent eviction from his Manhattan home, & his struggle to hold on to the lease of his legendary New Jersey studio, Orange Music. 

A GoFundMe (see link below) campaign is set up & has been receiving tremendous support from Bill's global network of fans responding with an outpouring of love & support. If you cherish this man as I do, help out, as I have.

 

Read "Translations in Dub: A Conversation with Bill Laswell" for an in-depth & intimate visit with the man himself.

& you can donate to Bill Laswell's GoFundMe.

Enjoy "Baron Samedi"...the first track from Bill Laswell, Mick Harris, & Eraldo Bernocchi:

Equations of Eternity - Vevè, WordSound WSCD028, 1998.

Please do what's right,
NØ

Bill Collection

Anyone even vaguely familiar with my musick manias knows one of my Holy Trinitiys is BILLS: Burroughs, Nelson, & Laswell.  Been ignoring them for too long so this week-end I’ve immersed myself in the Sacred System of things.  From the galactic zone to the lower ground, a greater tetralogy I doubt...

Bill Laswell - Sacred System: Chapter One - Book of Entrance, ROIR USA RUSCD 8225, 1996.

all decryption codes in comments

Babylon Ghost
Dread Iternal
Cyborg Assault
Galactic Zone
Sub Terrain


For further information about who does what, I've included insert with the files.

Bill Laswell - Sacred System: Chapter Two, ROIR RUSCD 8233, 1997.

Thunupa
Anubis
Purana
Akapana

Bill Laswell - Sacred System: Nagual Site, BMG Classics 09026-63263-2, 1998.

Raag Sohni
Black Lotus
X-Zibit-I
Dèrive
Saiya Nikasegaye
Driftwork
Aab Yaad Kar Tu

Bill Laswell - Sacred System: Dub Chamber 4 - Book of Exit, ROIR RUSCD 8280, 2002.

Ethiopia
The Lower Ground
Shashamani
Bati
Land of Look Behind
Jerusalem



Bless all life,
we are all one race,
the Human Race...
slow down,
NØ

Perhaps Tied for Third 2 - 3

As with all magickal paths, there is always confusion.

Now here’s the bit o’ confusion with the Sacred System.

Although the previously posted Bill Laswell - Sacred System: Nagual Site is considered by most to be the proper third installment of the Sacred System Tetralogy, there are those that stick by the Discordian Law of Fives & posit that the four are in fact five. That the tetralogy is actually a pentalogy.

In 2000, Bill released Dub Chamber 3, which some say is the precursor to Sacred System: Dub Chamber 4 - Book of Exit. It fits perfectly between Nagaul (1998) & Dub Chamber 4 (2002).

This from the album notes:

Nils Petter Molvaer: Trumpet, Effects (1,3)
Nicky Skopelitis: 6,12 String Guitars, Beats, Effects (1,2,3,4)
Craig Taborn: Electric Piano (2,3,4)
Bill Laswell: Bass, Keyboard, Beats (1,2,3,4)
Jah Wobble: Bass, Keyboard, Beat (2)
Karsh Kale: Drums, Tabla (1)

Produced by Bill Laswell


from ROIR USA website:

Dub Chamber 3 is Laswell's third release for ROIR (Nagaul Site was released by BMG Classics) & completes the best selling Sacred System trilogy (perhaps true at that time, perhaps sour BMG grapes ).

So listen up, decide for yourselves. Never get too many Bills.

Bill Laswell - Dub Chamber 3, ROIR RUSCD 8263, 2000.

decryption code in comments

Beyond the Zero
Cybotron
Syndrome
A Screaming Comes AcrosstThe Sky

Enjoy safely,
NØ

Another Bill I Can’t Pay

Divination - Ambient Dub Volume I, Subharmonic SD7001-2, 1993.

all decryption codes in comments

Divination One
Seven Heavens (remastered)
Erratta
Delta
Tian Zhen
Agrippa
God Speed
Ain Soph Aour

Performers: Bill Laswell; Buckethead; Jeff Bova; Liu Sola; Nicky Skopelitis; & Robert Musso.

Divination - Ambient Dub Volume II - Dead Slow, Subharmonic 7003-2, 1993.

Dead Slow
Baraka
Silent Fields
Evil Eye (remastered)
Dream Light
Journeys

Performers: Bill Laswell; Jah Wobble; Jeff Bova; & Mick Harris.

Enjoy,
NØ

Reachout

Recently I posted a bunch of cyberpunk related musick. In the course of that post I doled out some Cybotron. Thought you might like a bit more...but wait, this is Bill Laswell doing "Cybotron". Well, I’m always partial to the Bills around here.

Bill Laswell - ROIR Dub Sessions, Reachout International Records RSCD9500, 2003.

decryption code in comments

Dread Iternal
Thunupa
Cybotron
Ethiopia / The Lower Ground

808,
NØ

If Memory Serves

A visitor to this dump-site (Daniel Ramos) commented recently about Material (Bill Laswell band). He mentioned that Memory Serves is his all-time favorite Material release, I have to agree that it is also one of my favorites & I have not posted it up previously.

 

 Hold up. My memory obviously doesn't serve me well. Less than a year ago I posted this. Oh well. Double dose.

 

 I mentioned there would be more Bills here (Nelson, Laswell, Burroughs). The last Bill was Nelson so this takes care of Laswell for a while.

Material – Memory Serves, Celluloid CEL N.Y. 5007, 1981.
decryption code in comments

Side A –

Memory Serves

Disappearing

Upriver

Metal Test

Side B –

Conform to the Rhythm

Unauthorized

Square Dance

Silent Land

bonus track (from later re-issue) – For a Few Dollars More

Enjoy,

NØ

If Memory Serves…

I’ve never posted this Bill Laswell Material before this.

Material – Memory Serves, Island Records ILPS9693, 1981.
decryption code in comments

Side One –

Memory Serves

Disappearing

Upriver

Metal Test

Side Two –

Conform to the Rhythm

Unauthorized

Square Dance

Silent Land

Material witnesses here are: Bill Laswell – 4, 6 & 8 string basses; Michael Beinhorn – synthesizers, tapes, radio, guitar, drums, & voice with Fred Maher – drums, percussion, & guitar (except "Silent Land"); Sonny Sharrock – guitar (except "Square Dance" & "Silent Land"); Fred Frith – guitar, violin, & xylophone (1,4,5,7);  Olu Dara – cornet ("Disappearing" & "Upriver"); Henry Threadgill – alto sax ("Disappearing", "Unauthorized", & "Square Dance"); George Lewis – trombone ("Memory Serves", "Square Dance", & "Silent Land"); Billy Bang – violin ("Upriver" & "Unauthorized"); & Charles K. Noyes – drums, percussion, & bells ("Memory Serves" & "Silent Land").

Recorded at OAO Studio, Brooklyn, New York.

The land is never silent while we have Bill’s bass,

NØ

Nothin' is True...

Re-uploaded by request 09/03/2024

 

On numerous occasions I’ve featured other of bassist Bill Laswell’s projects here. His efforts range from avant-garde to punk jazz, art rock to industrial hip-hop, Dub to electronica.

Although there is fantastic instrumentation on Hashisheen, this opus centers around the spoken-word stylings, recounting the story of Hassan-i Sabbah, founder of the Hashshashin (Hashshisheen), a legendary group of middle-eastern assassins.

Hashisheen features readings by Iggy Pop, William S. Burroughs, Anne Clark, Hakim Bey, Ira Cohen & others. Guest producers include Jah Wobble, Techno Animal, & Eyeless in Gaza.

Hashisheen is the story of Hassan-i Sabbah & his Hashshashin's journey from Persia to the mountains of Northern Iran, his conquest of the fortress Alamut, his extensive studies & philosophies, his isolation, & eventual death.

Bill Laswell – Hashisheen: The End of Law, Sub Rosa SR154CD, 1999.
decryption code in comments

Tracklist –

First Reading (vocal – Sussan Deyhim)

The Old Man of the Mountain (vocals – Genesis P-Orridge & Percy Howard)

The Western Lands (featuring Techno Animal w/ vocals by Iggy Pop & W.S.Burroughs)

The Spilled Cup (vocal – Sussan Deyhim)

Marco Polo’s Tale (featuring Nicky Skopelitis w/ vocal – Hakim Bey)

Pilgrimage to Cairo (vocal – Hakim Bey)

Freya Stark at Alamut (featuring Anton Fier w/ vocal – Nicole Blackman)

Castles (featuring Anton Fier w/ vocal – Percy Howard)

Hashish Poem (vocal – Nicole Blackman)

Sinan’s Boat (vocal – Ira Cohen)

Assassinations (featuring Anton Fier w/ vocal – Nicole Blackman)

The Mongols Destroy Alamut (featuring Paul Schütze w/vocal – Percy Howard)

The Divine Self (Jah Wobble)

Morning High (featuring Nicky Skopelitis w/ vocals Lizzy Mercier Descioux & Patti Smith)

A Quick Trip to Alamut (featuring Paul Schütze w/vocal – Iggy Pop)

Slogans (featuring Helios Creed w/ vocal – Genesis P-Orridge)

Book of the Highest Initiation (featuring Helios Creed w/ vocal – Genesis P-Orridge)

The Lord of the Resurrection (vocal – Umar Bin Hassan)

Assassinations 2 (featuring Anton Fier w/ vocal – Nicole Blackman)

Tale of the Caliph Hakem (Eyeless in Gaza w/ vocals – Anne Clark & Genesis P-Orridge)

The Assassins (vocal – Hakim Bey)

Last Reading (vocal – Sussan Deyhim)

Nothin’ is true, everything is permitted,

NØ

The Titanic of Funk

George Clinton & Bill Laswell – Get Yo Ass in the Water & Swim like Me CD single, 

Douglas Music ADC16, 1997.

Tracklist –

Get Yo Ass in the Water & Swim like Me

Iceberg Dead Ahead (GYAitW&SlM dub)

Get Yo Ass in the Water & Swim like Me (extended vocal)

Get Yo Ass in the Water & Swim like Me (instrumental)

Enjoy,

NØ

Material Witness

Most accurately Bill Laswell &… (here abouts that would be word-virus cut-up Champion WSB first & foremost).

In 1978 Russian music entrepreneur Giorgio Gomelsky moved to New York City to try opening up the American market to the European progressive jazz-rock bands he was working with, such as Gong, Henry Cow, & Magma. He opened the Zu Club in Manhattan. There he met 24-year-old bass player Bill Laswell & encouraged him to form a band. Three young friends, 17-year old Michael Beinhorn - synthesizer, 17-year old Martin Bisi – programer, & 14-year old Fred Maher – drums responded to Laswell's ad in The Village Voice. They began rehearsing in the club's basement.

The band was called Zu Band until they hooked up with former Gong frontman Daevid Allen. They then took the name New York Gong. Guitarist Cliff Cultreri & a second drummer Bill Bacon joined in the spring of 1979. In the fall of that year they parted company with Allen. The band then took the name Material from the Laswell/Cultreri instrumental track "Materialism" on the About Time album.

By the late 80s, Material was simply another word for Bill Laswell. By 1989, Material had basically ceased performing as an actual band & Laswell began to use the name as a moniker for specific musical projects. The first of these projects was the album Seven Souls featuring William S. Burroughs reading portions of his novel The Western Lands. In 1998, the album was subject to a series of re-mixes by Laswell, Talvin Singh, Spring Heel Jack, DJ Olive, & DJ Soul Slinger. It was released as The Road to the Western Lands.

Another great Material project is Hallucination Engine. On this Laswell teamed up with the jazz legend Wayne Shorter & a cast that included Sly Dunbar, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worell, various Indian & North African musicians playing traditional instruments & sounds along with many other notable musicians as well as once again William S. Burroughs. The mixture of jazz, funk, blues, rock, psychedelia, & international sounds is enthralling. This essential release is true meditation for the hardcore music fan.

The story of Material & Bill Laswell could go on for pages, but I’ll leave that to others. Just sample some of this music & hear for yourself.

Material – Seven Souls, Virgin V2956, 1989.
(this release was originally tracks 4 – 10)
all decryption codes in comments

bonus tracks -

The Western Lands (A Dangerous Road mix)

Seven Souls (Tim Simenon mix)

Soul Killer (Remote Control mix) – from the Triloka Records 1997 re-issue

Side A –

Ineffect

Seven Souls

Soul Killer

Side B –

The Western Lands

Deliver

Equation

The End of Words

On Hallucination Engine, Material is: Bill Laswell -  bass guitar, loops, beats, & samples; Wayne Shorter - soprano & tenor saxophones; William S. Burroughs – voice; Simon Shaheen – violin & oud; Liu Sola – voice; Nicky Skopelitis - acoustic & electric guitars, electric sitar, & baglama; Bernie Worrell - electric piano & Hammond organ; Bootsy Collins - Space bass; L. Shankar – violin; Sly Dunbar – drums; Jeff Bova – synthesizer: Jihad Racy – ney; Jonas Hellborg - acoustic bass & fretless electric bass; Zakir Hussain – tabla; Trilok Gurtu – tabla; Vikku Vinayakram – ghatam; Fahim Dandan – voice; George Basil – qanoun; Michael Baklouk – daff & tambourine; & Aiyb Dieng - chatan, congas, & percussion.

Material - Hallucination Engine, Axiom 314-518 351-2, 1994.

Tracklist –

Black Light
Mantra
Ruins (Submutation Dub)
Eternal Drift
Words of Advice (featuring William S. Burroughs)
Cucumber Slumber (Fluxus mix)
The Hidden Garden/Naima
Shadows of Paradise

From the liner notes:
     ''The Road to the Western Lands is a collection of radical mix translations from Material's Seven Souls. This work revolves around the words & voice of the late William S. Burroughs who died August 2nd, 1997. One of our greatest writers whose entire life's work maintained an aggressive, but humorous attack on the values of mainstream society as anarchy's double agent, an implacable enemy of conformity & all agencies of control."

     "Presented here are seven sound constructions derived & mutated from the original sources. Created by methods similar to those used by Burroughs himself with artist Brion Gysin to produce alternate results with writing...(the cut-ups)."

     "This is a tribute to the mind, the life, & the words of William S. Burroughs, the singularity of his vision & his certainty in the power of language. His words are weapons against those who are bent by stupidity or design on blowing up the planet.''

Material – The Road to the Western Lands 2xLP, Mercury 314 558 02-1, 1998.

Side A –

The Seven Souls – Bill Laswell

The Western Lands – Talvin Singh

Side B –

The Western Lands – DJ Soul Slinger

The Road to the Western Lands – Spring Heel Jack

Side C –

Joan’s Haunted Hints at the Gate to the Western Lands – The Audio Janitor

Seven Souls (The Secret Name) – Bill Laswell

Side D –

The Western Lands (A Dangerous Road Mix) – Material

Enjoy,

NØ

Funk You

UPDATE: This post was re-uploaded 11/16/2013. Enjoy, NØ.


Here’s a masterpiece of magick musick FUNK!!! At times I think the perfection of the first cd is unsurpassable. I stop & listen to it over & over again. The Godzillatron funk metal of "Orbitron Attack"; the unfathomable beauty that is the cover of Hendrix‘s "If 6 was 9" & the best version ever of "Cosmic Slop"; then the disc ends with Eddie Hazel blistering the cosmos on "Pray My Soul" (listen to this with headphones, it's almost as great as "Maggot Brain"). So if you’re not sure or not familiar with this sucka, then definitely get the first disc & give it an ear.

But let me tell ya, the second disc is full of surprises. First response is often that it’s too 'thought out', with a taste of all your main funk flavors; "Sax Machine" is a Maceo Parker saxophone rave-up; "Animal Behavior" is the Mothership speaking; then the heavy "Trumpets & Violins, Violins"(another Hendrix number); the Brian Auger Oblivionesque "Telling Time"; the turntablism of "Jungle Free-bass"; & the fantastic space-funk of Blackbyrd McKnight’s "Blackout", but let me tell ya...

They start this motha up with "the freaky-deaky not the kinda freek ya wanna be freakin’ out with" "Hideous Mutant Freekz" (that I’ve featured here before) & end the side once more with the Haze blowin’ it out on the guitar on "Sacred to the Pain" with spoken word by Umar Bin Hassan of the legendary The Last Poet. If you don’t grab this cd as well, well...youse a foo!

Artwork By [Cover Art & Comix] – Pedro Bell & Seitu Hayden/Splankwerks East
"...And may we be forgiven for we know not what we've done!"
Producer – Bill Laswell

partial list of players:
Funkateers - Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins, Gary Shider, George Clinton, Gary ‘Mudbone’ Cooper, Maceo Parker, Eddie Hazel...

Everybodys frienz - Bill Laswell, Anton Fier, Buckethead...

fabulously famous - Herbie Hancock, DeWayne ‘Blackbird’ McKnight, Sly Stone, Bobby Byrd, Umar Bin Hassan...

Reggae dubsters - Robbie Shakespeare Sly Dunbar...

plus many, many more.

Axiom Funk – Funkcronomicon double cd, Axiom 524 077-2, 1995.

decryption code in comments

CD1 -

1-1 Order Within the Universe
1-2 Under the Influence (Jes Grew)
1-3 If 6 was 9
1-4 Orbitron Attack
1-5 Cosmic Slop
1-6 Free-bass (Godzillatron Cush)
1-7 Tell the World
1-8 Pray my Soul

CD2 -

2-1 Hideous Mutant Freekz
2-2 Sax Machine
2-3 Animal Behavior
2-4 Trumpets & Violins, Violins
2-5 Telling Time
2-6 Jungle Free-bass
2-7 Blackout
2-8 Sacred to the Pain

Enjoy,
NØ