REVIEW: Bill Laswell, Panthalassa - The Music of Miles Davis 1969-1974 (Columbia) / Various Artists, _Dubmission 2 The Remixes (Qwango/Island)
- Joann D. Ball
Summer means construction time again on America's highways and byways. In the world of music, though, it's the perfect season for reconstruction. High on the summer listening reconstruction projects list are Bill Laswell's Panthalassa: The Music of Miles Davis 1969-1974 and a various artists compilation called Dubmission 2: The Remixes . Laswell proves with his reconstruction and mix translation that there's much more to jazz that the watered down stuff that commercial smooth jazz stations play. And while Dubmission 2: The Remixes was released a few months ago, this Jamaica hot reggae dub and remix collection warrants your attention because it's solid proof that there's much more to reggae than Bob Marley.
Reconstruction and remixes are two of the most innovative projects within the world of electronica and dance music. Much like old school hip-hop which sampled forgotten or overlooked soul and rock tracks, reconstruction and remixing allows electronic artists to pay tribute to classic jazz and reggae artists while creating new music from these rich sources. In this way, reconstruction and remix projects effectively turn on new audiences to jazz and reggae and provide new support and energy for these often ignored genres. To their credit, reconstructionists and remixers are very explicit about their inspirations, sources and intentions as they take jazz and reggae classics to another level. Such honesty and integrity deserves to be recognized and credited, particularly given the history of rock and roll which was largely built upon the shameless white-washing of blues and "race records" for profit. Additionally, the creativity that is involved in reconstructing and remixing jazz and reggae exceeds that which is all too typical of contemporary Top 40 remixes which are designed to prompt additional record sales for artists who are already popular. Producer and bassist Bill Laswell captures the essence of Miles Davis' exceptional work during the experimental period of 1969-1974 and breathes new life into the jazz master's intricate and complex pieces. Davis was exploring unknown territories nearly decades ago, and it is here that Laswell returns with his reconstruction tools. Laswell connects diverse and multi-faceted Davis classics and give them an incredible flow and eveness, making Panthalassa: The Music of Miles Davis 1969-1974 a captivating hour-long listening pleasure in the process.
Panthalassa is divided into four sections or tracks and each weave a textured soundscape that is detailed and vibrant. Track one includes "In A Silent Way/Shhh/Peaceful/It's About That Time," and Laswell begins this reconstruction by highlighting the gentle tenderness of Davis' work. About midway through this almost fifteen-and-a-half minute piece, Davis' horn surfaces along with percussion and bass and the instruments eventually overflow with an incredible richness and fullness. Clocking in at slightly over sixteen minutes, track two includes "Black Satin/Pete Cosey/Agharta Prelude Dub." This piece should immediately appeal to fans of acid jazz band Liquid Soul which is no coincidence since that band's musical director Mars Williams has previously worked with Laswell. Track two also includes hints of the direction the late Jimi Hendrix was taking before his untimely death, as distorted guitar sounds are prominently featured in the first two-thirds of this psychedelic piece. Track three contains "Rated X/Billy Preston" and the first half of this fourteen-and-a-half minute piece is notable for its tight, precise polyrhythms which are a prototype for jungle music. In contrast, the second half of the piece has an urban grittiness thanks to a throbbing and pulsing bass and Davis' melodic horn. Panthalassa ends with the thirteen-plus minute "He Loved Him Madly" which is instrumentally layered for a peaceful, laid back, meditative effect.
As Laswell's Panthalassa: The Music of Miles Davis 1969-1974 suggests, the world of electronica, with its hybrid of cultures, styles and sounds, complicates the meaning of "new." In addition to using jazz as critical resource, some of the most intriguing electronic offerings also draw heavily on dub reggae for inspiration and direction. This approach is skillfully represented on Dubmission 2: The Remixes .
Conceived by Tomas of Umoja Soundsystem, Dubmission 2: The Remixes includes new interpretations of some reggae and dub classics. A number of British and American new school drum n' bass producers pay their respects to some of the most famous of Jamaican reggae artists. Among the classics that get the dub and remix treatment here are Gregory Isaacs' "Night Nurse," "Eye Market," "Chill Out" and "Fleetyfoot" by Black Uhuru, Burning Spear's "Slavery Days," and the Tamlins' "Baltimore." An informative history of dub reggae and its relationship to drum n' bass is included in the CD jacket, and an extremely helpful chart listing the details about the original, dub and remix versions is included on the back of the CD case.
There are a total of ten reconstructions here which run a total time of about an hour, and several of them are simply outstanding. Cottonbelly, the alter ego of Sade band member Stuart Matthewman, remixes "Night Nurse" and accents the percussion for an erotic effect. The Thievery Corporation, based in Washington, D.C. stir up a magical remix of Black Uhuru's "Eye Market." Retitled "Boof N' Baff N' Biff," it creates the sensation of a wonderful high. Also destined for repeat play are the two remixes of Sly and Robbie's "Demolition City." The Riddim Twins' masterpiece "Demolition City" is actually a dub version of the Tamlins' classic "Baltimore." On Dubmission 2, original dubsters Sly & Robbie get the remix treatment by Smith & Mighty who show off a "Dread City Mix" and Tom Chasteen who digs up and offers "Graveyard City-The Skull Valley Remix." The repetition of the phrase "slave in the graveyard" gives the latter version an irresistibly wicked yet funky vibe on what is definitely the best club/dance number here.
When you are stuck in miles of traffic this summer, be sure to use the occasion as a prime opportunity for enjoying some reconstruction projects. Bill Laswell's Panthalassa: The Music of Miles Davis 1969-1974 on and the various artists collection Dubmission 2: The Remixes will lower your stress level and lift your spirits. And when the traffic clears you may even want to take a trip to your local record store to check out the jazz and reggae sections and further enhance your CD collection.
