Description

Material – Secret Life – Compact Disc

Released in 1986, Material’s Secret Life is an adventurous album that blends jazz, funk, dub, and avant-garde elements, showcasing the creative prowess of bassist and producer Bill Laswell. Material, which Laswell originally co-founded with Michael Beinhorn, became a revolving-door project for experimental and cutting-edge musicians. Secret Life marked a point of departure into a deeply textured, atmospheric sound that combines rhythmic grooves with experimental production and eclectic influences. This album is often celebrated as a distinctive part of the New York downtown music scene and a defining example of Laswell’s genre-defying style.

In Secret Life, Material dives into ambient soundscapes and rhythmic complexity, mixing live instrumentation with electronic effects in a way that feels both grounded and cosmic. Laswell’s work is known for its intensity and layered depth, and this album brings together diverse sounds that make it as intriguing as it is immersive.

The sound of Secret Life combines deep basslines, echoing synth effects, and a fusion of live and electronic instruments, creating an album that’s rhythmic yet ambient. It’s a collection that balances structure with improvisational freedom, blending funk grooves with dub effects and atmospheric jazz influences.

Laswell’s bass playing is central to the album’s sound, providing deep, rolling grooves that anchor each track. The basslines are both melodic and rhythmic, creating a foundation that gives the music a hypnotic, almost meditative quality.

The album features extensive use of dub techniques, including reverb, delay, and layered echo effects that give the music a spacious, atmospheric feel. These effects are blended seamlessly with jazz and funk elements, creating an immersive soundscape.

Secret Life incorporates an array of instruments, including saxophones, keyboards, percussion, and electronic effects. The album has a loose, jam-like feel, with each instrument adding depth and texture to the complex arrangements.

Material’s music often reflects a sense of mysticism and exploration, themes that run through Secret Life. The album conveys a sense of journeying through layered soundscapes, from dark, gritty cityscapes to otherworldly environments, echoing themes of self-discovery and spiritual experience.

The soundscapes created on Secret Life evoke a feeling of mysticism, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the layers of sound. Tracks seem to drift between moods and styles, reflecting themes of transcendence and cosmic exploration.

The album captures a certain urban, industrial atmosphere, perhaps inspired by the New York music scene of the time. This gritty, urban quality is underscored by the rhythmic grooves and echo-laden production, making the album feel both grounded and expansive.

Secret Life embodies a spirit of sonic freedom, blending genres and influences in a way that feels unrestricted. The combination of jazz improvisation, funk grooves, and avant-garde experimentation reflects Material’s commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

Secret Life is celebrated as a unique album that showcases Material’s versatility and Bill Laswell’s production style. It’s often praised for its seamless blending of genres and its role in pioneering the intersection of jazz, funk, and dub with avant-garde sensibilities. Laswell’s work with Material has influenced a range of genres, from ambient and electronic music to jazz fusion and hip-hop production, and Secret Life remains a key album for listeners interested in genre-defying, experimental music.

The album has had a lasting impact on the New York avant-garde scene, and it continues to inspire musicians who appreciate complex, textured music that challenges conventional structures.

Secret Life by Material is a remarkable album that embodies the experimental spirit of Bill Laswell’s work, blending funk, jazz, dub, and ambient elements into a cohesive, atmospheric journey. The album’s layered textures, intricate grooves, and mystical ambiance make it an essential listen for fans of genre-bending music and those looking for a sonic experience that’s both meditative and energizing.

For listeners interested in ambient jazz, experimental funk, or immersive soundscapes, Secret Life is a standout album that captures the essence of exploration and creativity in the New York downtown music scene. Its innovative approach to rhythm and atmosphere makes it an enduring work that continues to captivate and inspire.

Song List

1. Secret Life
2. Reduction
3. Discourse
4. O.A.O.
5. White Man
6. Heritage
7. Slow Murder
8. Detached
9. Ciquiri
10. On Sadism
11. Process/Motion
12. Dark Things