Customer Reviews

Sacred System: Chapter 2

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Laswell is definitely aiming here to channel the spirit of Miles Davis (with a dash of Jon Hassell). Sonically this sounds quite a bit like "Panthalassa" where Laswell remixed some classic Miles moments into something slick, digestible, and in my opinion inferior to the original. This isn't "dub" so much as it is Laswell's take on Miles and Jon Hassell's musics, with his own rhythmic style thrown in. ("Anubis" sounds explicitly like Laswell's remix of Miles' "Black Satin", it's exactly the same rhythmic concept.)

Given that this is new music, I am able to judge it on its own merits and not in relation to the greatest recordings of recent history (whereas I judge "Panthalassa" to be a waste of money). There's a lot to like here. The beats and bass are sublime. As a collection of rhythm tracks, this is up there with "Ekstasis" as a master work. Structurally though, the pieces drift too much (they're too static, they go nowhere over too long a time). Less than much modern electronic music, but too much for this to be called great.

It's pretty smooth and pretty interesting, though.

Very good by conventional music standards -- deep, rich, rhythmic, well-engineered and superb as background music for parties, studying, or turning inward. If you are bored with mainstream (or even the top layer of underground) music, check this out.

But, as alluded to in other reviews, a bit homogenous for Laswell. He has a killer formula, but it's still a formula.

Again Bill Laswell has released a splendid new record. This is the second Sacred System release. This time again it draws heavily on Miles-Davis type trumpet solos a little like Miles in his 70's period. It otherwise is heavily based on dub and eastern influences. This is beautiful laid-back, trance;like music. Of course he has done this before a few times but it is really one of his better efforts. It is heavily bass-based of course. It is released on ROIR records, which I did not know still existed at this point in time.

Coming off the projects for the music of Bob Marley and Miles Davis, Bill Laswell takes the choice elements of their work - and his - for the four tracks that clock nearly 52 minutes.

Cornetist Graham Haynes and guitarist Nicky Skopelitis cut the trail to the early electric years of Miles, while drummer Style Scott and percussionist Bill Buchen provide the rhythm foundation. With the music having ample room to move, Laswell cooks up one wicked brew.

Mr. Laswell has now released many, many CD's... and is not slowing down anytime soon. Needless to say, it is getting harder and harder to find the choice discs. Sacred System, Chapter 2 is not one of them. I found it a tad more challenging than I cared for, and liked Imaginary Cuba even less. However, I remain a huge fan and after picking up the excellent 'Dub Chamber 3', I will continue to buy his stuff. Dub on.

Laswell does it yet again. Reggie lovers, dub lovers, music lovers: my advise is that you at least listen to this album and chapter one. Buy one first, if you love it, buy this too. 5 stars is just the begining of a discription.