Martin Lomas wrote:
quoted 13 lines Original Q: "Is Panthalassa (Bill Laswell getting jiggy with Miles
> Original Q: "Is Panthalassa (Bill Laswell getting jiggy with Miles
> Davis) any good?"
>
> Colin: "Me, I borrowed it from the local library, gave it a couple of
> listens and
> couldn't stand it - felt all the spontaneity and rawness had been drained
> from Miles' music."
>
> Me: I have to side with Colin. If you never knew Miles Davis, you
> might accept the disc as a mediocre slab of remixed-sounding
> prog-jazz. But as a tribute to Miles, it's absolutely sacrilegious.
> Pitiful. Davis knew all about the sounds he wanted, and about
> gathering uniquely talented musicians to that end.
My 2 cents -- I've always thought 70s electric Miles is some of the greatest
music of the 20th century and this music continues to be my greatest
inspiration now.
That said, I think Laswell's versions on Panthalassa are really good work. I
only wished that Laswell's remixes had been more radical, there are so many
interesting things he could have done with that source material but instead
he chose to be relatively faithful to the originals.
One of the best things about Panthalassa is the version of Rated X, for
example -- one of Miles' most difficult pieces. Rated X has many layers of
polyrhythmic complexity which were somewhat obscured on the original
version, but Laswell has used modern studio technology to clarify the mix
and let us hear more clearly what Miles was trying to do.
quoted 8 lines And now a beef about Mr. Laswell. I enjoy intelligent music of all
> And now a beef about Mr. Laswell. I enjoy intelligent music of all
> kinds. And I'm aware of the good reputation and incredible
> proliferation of Bill Laswell. But I can't stand anything I've ever
> heard with him involved. Most of it just sounds like murky sludge to
> me. I understand the principles of dub, and have a small collection
> of originals (King Tubby etc.). But I just don't get his sound.
> Perhaps someone can recommend works of his that would correct my bad
> impression?
I would agree that Laswell's output is a mixed bag...but part of it stems
from his approach of doing as many projects as he can as fast as possible
and letting his listeners sort them out. He seems like he's always looking
ahead to the next project...
John
--
John von Seggern
DJ/producer
Digital Cutup Lounge
Hong Kong
http://www.digitalcutuplounge.com
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