Description
Material – The Best Of – Compact Disc
Material – The Best Of is a compelling compilation that highlights the groundbreaking work of Material, a collaborative project led by prolific bassist and producer Bill Laswell. Known for fusing genres like jazz, funk, punk, world music, and experimental rock, Material helped redefine the boundaries of music in the late 1970s and 1980s, making Laswell a highly influential figure in the world of avant-garde and genre-blending music.
Material’s music is marked by its collaborative spirit, with Laswell bringing together a rotating lineup of musicians including jazz legends like Herbie Hancock, avant-garde figures like Fred Frith, and reggae icons such as Sly and Robbie. This album captures the diversity of Material’s sound, from funk-laden tracks and Afrobeat-infused jams to dub and early hip-hop influences, each showcasing Laswell’s vision for musical fusion and cultural cross-pollination.
Notable tracks on The Best Of include ‘Memory Serves,’ which blends jazz-funk with a punk energy, and ‘Ciquiri,’ a track with a world music flair that incorporates global rhythms and unusual sonic textures. The famous ‘Rockit’ collaboration with Herbie Hancock, while often associated with Hancock’s solo career, stems from the creative work Laswell and Material did to bridge electronic experimentation with funk and jazz sensibilities. Tracks like “Temporary Music” demonstrate Material’s exploration of dissonance and rhythm, a style that foreshadowed much of the experimental rock and electronic music of the 1990s.
Laswell’s production is another standout element of this compilation, with his signature deep bass lines, heavy reverb, and intricate layering of sounds that create dense, atmospheric textures. His work with Material contributed significantly to the development of genres like electro-funk, industrial, and experimental jazz. The compilation provides a curated glimpse into the evolution of Laswell’s production style, reflecting his commitment to pushing musical boundaries and bringing a unique, global perspective to each track.
For fans of genre-defying music, The Best Of Material serves as an essential collection, showcasing the band’s ability to meld contrasting influences into a cohesive sound. The album is not just a testament to Material’s legacy in avant-garde and experimental music, but also a reflection of Laswell’s lasting influence on modern music production and genre fusion. From jazz enthusiasts to fans of experimental rock, this compilation offers something unique, highlighting the collective’s significant impact on the music landscape across various genres and eras.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic but small promo hole in case
Track Listing
I’m The One
Disappearing
Square Dance
Let Me Have It All
Upriver
Over & Over
For A Few Dollars More
Reduction
On Sadism
Dark Things
Ciquiri
Memories
Busting Out
