Bill Laswell

United States

"Laswell's music pulses with deep grooves and rich layers, creating tension through rhythmic complexity and dynamic space."

Quick Start

A good place to start with Bill Laswell is…

Dub Meltdown

1997

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Career Arc

Bill Laswell's discography from 1983 to 2014

1983 1998 2014

Baselines (1983) Hear No Evil (1988) Ambient Dub Volume II: De... (1993) Deconstruction: The Cellu... (1993) Ambient Dub Volume I (1993) Dub Terror Exhaust (1994) Lost in the Translation (1994) Cymatic Scan (1994) Jihad (1994) Outer Dark (1994) Doom Ride (1994) Light in Extension (1994) Silent Recoil: Dub System... (1995) Akasha (1995) Subsonic 2: Bass Terror (1995) Web (1995) South Delta Space Age (1995) Chapter One: Book of Entr... (1996) Distill (1996) Ambient Compendium (1996)

Bill Laswell matters for his transformative ability to weave disparate musical threads into a cohesive sonic tapestry that challenges traditional boundaries.

Bill Laswell matters for his transformative ability to weave disparate musical threads into a cohesive sonic tapestry that challenges traditional boundaries. By pulling from the deep wells of dub and jazz, he has fostered a space where rhythm and texture reign supreme, encouraging listeners to rethink how they engage with sound on a fundamental level. His work has impacted both underground and mainstream scenes, inspiring artists to explore the interplay between genres while maintaining an ear for the groove. Laswell’s approach centers on collaboration and experimentation, often bringing together musicians from varied backgrounds to create polyrhythmic landscapes that pulse with life and energy. This process emphasizes a loose structure, allowing for improvisation to take center stage. Laswell's production techniques—layering sounds and utilizing effects—create immersive environments that feel both expansive and intimate, inviting the listener to lose themselves within the textures. In his songwriting, Laswell frequently explores themes of connection and disconnection, using instrumental narratives to evoke emotional responses rather than relying solely on lyrics. His tone ranges from reflective to provocative, often employing irony in his storytelling while conveying sincerity through musical expression. The result is a body of work that feels alive, resonating with raw human experience.

Full discography

Bill Laswell's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

63 releases • 63 albums • 1983–2014

Discography may be incomplete (63 of ~89 albums indexed)

Type:

Albums ()

The Stone

2014

Space/Time – Redemption

2014

Means of Deliverance

2012

Túwaqachi

2012

Konton

2011

Bass & Drums

2011

Invisible Design II

2009

Trojan Dub Massive: Chapter One

2005

Trojan Dub Massive: Chapter Two

2005

Version 2 Version: A Dub Transmission

2004

Brutal Calling

2004

Final Oscillations

2003

AFTERMATHematics

2003

ROIR Dub Sessions

2003

Book of Exit: Dub Chamber 4

2002

Points of Order

2001

Filmtracks 2000

2001

Dub Chamber 3

2000

Emerald Aether: Shape Shifting

2000

Lo. Def Pressure

2000

The Redesign

2000

Broken Vessels

1999

The End of Law

1999

Serene Timeless Joy

1999

Imaginary Cuba

1999

Permutation

1999

Invisible Design

1999

Nagual Site

1998

Sacrifice

1998

Oscillations 2

1998

The Dark Side of the Moog VII

1998

Chapter Two

1997

Dub Meltdown

1997

City of Light

1997

Oscillations Remixes

1997

The Dark Side of the Moog VI

1997

Dreams of Freedom: Ambient Translations of Bob Marley in Dub

1997

Chapter One: Book of Entrance

1996

Distill

1996

Ambient Compendium

1996

Mysteries of Creation

1996

Oscillations

1996

The Dark Side of the Moog IV

1996

The Dark Side of the Moog V

1996

Off World One

1996

Aspiration

1996

Silent Recoil: Dub System One

1995

Akasha

1995

Subsonic 2: Bass Terror

1995

Web

1995

South Delta Space Age

1995

Dub Terror Exhaust

1994

Lost in the Translation

1994

Cymatic Scan

1994

Jihad

1994

Outer Dark

1994

Doom Ride

1994

Light in Extension

1994

Ambient Dub Volume II: Dead Slow

1993

Deconstruction: The Celluloid Recordings

1993

Ambient Dub Volume I

1993

Hear No Evil

1988

Baselines

1983

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Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

Baselines (1983)

Hear No Evil (1988)

Ambient Dub Volume I... (1993)

Deconstruction: The Celluloid Recordings

Deconstruction: The... (1993)

Ambient Dub Volume I (1993)

Dub Terror Exhaust (1994)

Lost in the Translat... (1994)

Light in Extension (1994)

Silent Recoil: Dub S... (1995)

Akasha (1995)

Subsonic 2: Bass Ter... (1995)

Web (1995)

South Delta Space Ag... (1995)

Chapter One: Book of... (1996)

Distill (1996)

Ambient Compendium (1996)

Mysteries of Creatio... (1996)

Oscillations (1996)

The Dark Side of the... (1996)

The Dark Side of the... (1996)

Oscillations Remixes (1997)

Chapter Two (1997)

The Dark Side of the... (1997)

Dreams of Freedom: Ambient Translations of Bob Marley in Dub

Dreams of Freedom: A... (1997)

Sacrifice (1998)

Oscillations 2 (1998)

Nagual Site (1998)

The Dark Side of the... (1998)

Broken Vessels (1999)

The End of Law (1999)

Serene Timeless Joy (1999)

Imaginary Cuba (1999)

Permutation (1999)

Invisible Design (1999)

Emerald Aether: Shap... (2000)

Lo. Def Pressure (2000)

Dub Chamber 3 (2000)

The Redesign (2000)

Points of Order (2001)

Filmtracks 2000 (2001)

Book of Exit: Dub Ch... (2002)

Final Oscillations (2003)

AFTERMATHematics (2003)

ROIR Dub Sessions (2003)

Version 2 Version: A... (2004)

Brutal Calling (2004)

Trojan Dub Massive:... (2005)

Trojan Dub Massive:... (2005)

Invisible Design II (2009)

Konton (2011)

Bass & Drums (2011)

Means of Deliverance (2012)

Túwaqachi (2012)

Space/Time – Redempt... (2014)

The Stone (2014)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bill Laswell sound like?

Laswell's music pulses with deep grooves and rich layers, creating tension through rhythmic complexity and dynamic space. Rooted in jazz and dub music. Start with Dub Meltdown.

What is the best Bill Laswell album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Dub Meltdown" (1997). It's the most representative of what makes Bill Laswell worth hearing.

Who is Bill Laswell for?

If you're into jazz and dub music, Bill Laswell is worth your time. Laswell's music pulses with deep grooves and rich layers, creating tension through rhythmic complexity and dynamic space.

How many albums does Bill Laswell have?

Bill Laswell has 63 releases in their discography, including 63 albums.

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