Merry X-Ambias to All

Staying with Namlook While Playing the Bills

Continuing on from the twelve days of Namlook, here's a colossus 6xCD set gifted to you all, my Frenz, from Bill Laswell & Pete Namlook...

The partnership here began after Pete discovered that Laswell had used samples from early Fax releases in his own projects. What started as a straightforward exchange quickly evolved into a mutual admiration.

As to their intial collaborations, Laswell sez
     "We began sending music back and forth, from Frankfurt to Brooklyn and back, This led to multiple collaborations, including other series like Psychonavigation and The Dark Side Of The Moog."  

When Laswell & Namlook first joined forces, both were already established figures in the music industry. Laswell, based in New York, was a renowned producer with a diverse client list that spanned multiple genres. He had also founded the Axiom label in 1989, contributing to groundbreaking work in Ambient, Dub, & world music. Namlook, a native of Frankfurt, was a key player in the Ambient techno scene as well as being the founder of the label FAX +49-69/450464.

The Outland series represents a fusion of the duo's distinct musical styles. It explores sound as a medium for emotional & contemplative experiences. Laswell's signature basslines / experimental soundscapes blend with Namlook's ethereal textures & complex sonic layering. Each album offers a unique auditory experience, ranging from Ambient tranquility to cosmic intensity.

Laswell recalls the inception of  Outland during an Asian tour with his friend Akira Sakata:                         "I managed to record a lot of traditional Mongolian music, which is heavy drone singing, the ultimate Ambient. I brought these recordings to Pete in Frankfurt, & that was the origins of Outland 1",  he sez. 

 

Bill Laswell & Pete Namlook - Outland 6xCD, Cold Spring CSR327DX, 2023.

Outland CD1: From the Earth to the Ceiling

From the Earth to the Ceiling Parts 1 - 12

 

 

     

Spanning five albums released over a thirteen-year period starting in 1994, this 6xCD box set from Cold Spring serves as a tribute to the creative chemistry between Laswell & Namlook. The set houses the five Outland albums along with a new sixth album, Blackland, featuring dense, bass space drone compositions by Laswell.

 

Outland CD2: African Virus (Electronic Sonata with a Cold, Loved by Nature)

African Virus Part 1    
African Virus Part 2    
African Virus Part 3    
African Virus Part 4    
African Virus Part 5    
African Virus Part 6

 

 

 

Since I'm sharing these, I might comment on these CDs. Give them a chance. If you've stuck with the twelve days of Namlook, then you kinda know what's going on. But give 'em a chance. In my opinion, Pete found out Bill was using some of Nam's samples & just wanted them to work together. Everybody & their uncle wanted to work with Bill, fer Crisesakes.  It appears that while Bill was touring Asian he got into Mongolian drone. He gave Pete the recordings & turned him loose. So CD1 is almost Namlook XIII (if there wasn't already one, but you know what I mean). I think Bill tried to insert his own bent on the proceedings after that. CD2 has a bit more Bill. But give 'em a chance.

 

 

 

Outland CD3 -

Definition of Life    
The Question of Containment    
Keeper of the Purple Twilight    
DSTC

 

 

 

     

By the first track of CD3, “Definition of Lfe” you'll realize that now Bill is conducting.

 

Outland CD4 -    

The Old World    
East Meets West    
Our Small Blue World    
Bella Prime    
Physical Transformation    
African Dub    
East Leaves West    
DSPill

 

 

     

From that point on it just gets better, culminating in the final truth that rounds out CD5... “The Origin” (at last!).

 

 

Outland CD5 -

Outland Exploration   
An Intelligent Force    
Object Approaching    
N-Dimensional    
The Origin

 

 

   

& then outward into Blackland, back to the CD1-style single track (39+ minutes) as (& here I sing the praise, hallelujah) only Bill Laswell can. What more of a tribute to Pete Namlook than completing the circle, bringing it back to the beginning. Sublime. 

Outland CD6 - Blackland (Bill Laswell - producer, bassist, effects) 

 

 

Miss ya, Pete & stay well as you may, Bill. With love. Give 'em a chance.

Merry X-ambias to all.
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