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Material

Profile:
Experimental punk-jazz-funk-noise-electro NYC band, founded in 1978 by bassist Bill Laswell and keyboard player Michael Beinhorn.
Material was not only a band name, but an alias for the intensive production work of the duo (for Afrika Bambaataa, Herbie Hancock, Nona Hendryx ...).

Michael Beinhorn left the 'band' in 1985. In the 90s, Material became more world/indian/afro/ambient/dub-oriented.
Aliases:
New York Gong
Members:
Aiyb Dieng, Bill Bacon, Bill Laswell, Cliff Cultreri, Fred Frith, Fred Maher, Gary Mudbone Cooper, Ginger Baker, Lowell Dunbar, Michael Beinhorn, Michael Hampton, Robbie Shakespeare, Robert Quine
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Discography

Releases:
Temporary Music 1 ◄ (2 versions)   Red Records (US) ... 1979
Discourse / Slow Murder (Single) ◄ (3 versions)   Red Music ... 1980
Temporary Music Compilation (Comp) ◄ (6 versions)   Celluloid ... 1980
American Songs (EP) ◄ (3 versions)   Celluloid ... 1981
Bustin' Out (Single) ◄ (5 versions)   Ariola ... 1981
Ciquri (Discomix) ◄ (2 versions)   Red Records (US) ... 1981
It's A Holiday / Things Fall Apart (12", Promo)   ZE Records, Island Records 1981
Memory Serves (Album) ◄ (9 versions)   Elektra Musician ... 1981
Reduction / A.O.A. (12")   Base Record 1981
Temporary Music 2 (12")   Red Records (US) 1981
I'm The One (Maxi) ◄ (10 versions)   Elektra ... 1982
Memories (Maxi) ◄ (3 versions)   Celluloid New York ... 1982
One Down (Album) ◄ (10 versions)   Celluloid ... 1982
For A Few Dollars More ◄ (2 versions)   Carrere ... 1983
Time Out ◄ (4 versions)   Elektra ... 1983
Red Tracks (LP)   Performance (2) 1985
Secret Life ◄ (3 versions)   Jungle Records ... 1986
Equation / Ineffect (12", Promo)   Virgin Records America, Inc. 1989
Seven Souls (Album) ◄ (8 versions)   Virgin Records America ... 1989
Playin' With Fire (Maxi) ◄ (4 versions)   Axiom ... 1991
Reality (Maxi) ◄ (2 versions)   Axiom 1991
The Third Power (Album) ◄ (5 versions)   Axiom 1991
Live In Japan (CD, Album)   Restless Records 1993
Mantra (Maxi) ◄ (3 versions)   Axiom ... 1993
Axiom Ambient - Lost In The Translation (12", Promo)   Axiom 1994
Eternal Drift (12")   Axiom, Island Records 1994
Hallucination Engine (Album) ◄ (3 versions)   Axiom 1994
Live From Soundscape (CD)   DIW Records 1994
The Best Of Material ◄ (2 versions)   Charly Schallplatten GmbH ... 1998
The Road To The Western Lands ◄ (3 versions)   Mercury ... 1998
Intonarumori (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   Palm Pictures 1999
Rap Is Still An Art (Maxi) ◄ (2 versions)   Palm Pictures 1999
More G.D.M. Vol. 4 (12")   Tigersushi 2002
Atmosphere Strut / Busting Out (12")   Black Beats 2004
Bill Laswell & Material (3xCD, Comp)   Golden Stars 2005
Production:
A Christmas Record (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) It's A Holiday ZE Records ... 1981
Mutant Disco - A Subtle Discolation Of The Norm ◄ (2 versions) Bustin' Out EMI Music (Greece) ... 1981
Celluloid Presents (LP) Upriver, Secret Life Celluloid 1982
Change The Beat (Maxi) ◄ (2 versions)   Celluloid 1982
Grandmixer Cuts It Up (Maxi) ◄ (7 versions)   Celluloid ... 1982
The Roxy ◄ (5 versions)   Celluloid ... 1982
Une Sale Histoire ◄ (4 versions)   Disc' AZ International ... 1982
What I Like ◄ (3 versions)   Celluloid 1982
Attitude (Album) ◄ (2 versions) My Turn To Love You Wounded Bird Records ... 1983
Autodrive (Maxi) ◄ (8 versions) Autodrive (Long Version) CBS ... 1983
B-Boys (Single) ◄ (5 versions)   RCA Victor ... 1983
Baselines (Album) ◄ (6 versions)   Elektra ... 1983
Come On Let's Dance (LP) I'm The One Ariola 1983
Crazy Cuts ◄ (10 versions)   Celluloid ... 1983
Future Shock (Album) ◄ (15 versions)   Columbia ... 1983
Future Shock (12")   CBS 1983
Keep It Confidential ◄ (5 versions)   RCA ... 1983
Nona (Album) ◄ (4 versions)   RCA 1983
Rockit (Single, Maxi) ◄ (10 versions)   Columbia ... 1983
Rockit (S-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d Version) / You Bet Your Love / I Thought It Was You (12") Rockit (Long Version) CBS 1983
Rockit / Mega-Mix (7") Mega-Mix (Includes: Ro... Columbia 1983
Shango Message (Maxi) ◄ (4 versions)   Carrere ... 1983
Smurf For What It's Worth (12", Maxi)   Celluloid 1983
Strong Me Strong / Disco Reggae (12")   Greensleeves Records 1983
Transformation (12", Promo)   RCA 1983
Transformation / Design For Living ◄ (2 versions)   RCA 1983
Zulu Groove ◄ (2 versions)   Celluloid ... 1983
All Night Dancin' (LP, Comp) I Sweat (Going Through... RCA 1984
Break Dancing ◄ (3 versions) Rockit CBS ... 1984
Crew Cuts (LP, Comp, Mixed) Crazy Cuts Island Records 1984
Electro Shock - Voltage One (LP, Comp) Rockit, Autodrive Epic 1984
Hardrock ◄ (4 versions)   Columbia ... 1984
I Sweat (Going Through The Motions) (Single, Maxi) ◄ (5 versions)   RCA ... 1984
King Yellowman (Album) ◄ (5 versions) Strong Me Strong, Disc... Discos CBS ... 1984
Mean Machine (12")   Carrere, Celluloid 1984
Mega-Mix ◄ (4 versions)   Columbia 1984
Shango Funk Theology ◄ (3 versions)   Carrere ... 1984
Sound-System (LP, Album)   CBS 1984
Street Sounds No. Ones (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Rockit Street Sounds 1984
Street-Music-Material (LP, Comp, Mixed)   Celluloid 1984
Strong Me Strong ◄ (4 versions) Strong Me Strong, Dub ... CBS ... 1984
Thank You (12", Promo)   Celluloid 1984
The Art Of Defense ◄ (3 versions)   RCA 1984
To The Bone (12")   RCA 1984
Worksong (12")   Megadisc 1984
World Destruction (Single) ◄ (5 versions)   Virgin ... 1984
Cairo Nights (Album) ◄ (4 versions)   Celluloid ... 1985
Electric Africa (12")   Celluloid 1985
Funkytown '85 (LP, Comp) I Sweat (Going Through... RCA, RCA BV Holland 1985
Get To This, Get To That (12", Promo)   Island Records 1985
Just Another Night (7", Single)   CBS/Sony 1985
Language Barrier (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   Island Records 1985
Make 'Em Move ◄ (3 versions)   Island Records 1985
New York vs L.A. Beats (LP, Mixed, Comp) Hip Hop Be Bop (Don't ... Street Sounds 1985
Rap Graffiti (LP, Comp)   Charly Records Ltd. 1985
So Hot / Cairo (12") What I Like (Full Blow... Celluloid 1985
Beat Freaks (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Zulu Groove, For A Few... Celluloid ... 1986
Makossa '87 (Big Blow) (12", Maxi)   Polydor 1986
Boops (Here To Go) ◄ (2 versions) Boops (Here To Go) (Vo... Island Records 1987
Death Command (12")   Fourth & Broadway 1987
Fire ◄ (2 versions)   Fourth & Broadway 1987
Fire / Boops (Here To Go) (12") Fire, Boops (Here To G... Fourth & Broadway 1987
Rhythm Killers (CD, Album)   Island Records 1987
The Chart Show - Dance Hits '87 (CD, Comp) Boops (Here To Go) (Vo... Dover Records, Chrysalis 1987
The Island Story 1962-1987 25th Anniversary (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Boops (Here To Go) Island Records 1987
Yes We Can Can (12")   Island Records 1987
Mixed Masters Maxi Length Dance Mixes (CD, Mini, Maxi) Rockit (Long / Album V... CBS 1988
Perfect Machine (Album) ◄ (3 versions)   Columbia ... 1988
Pump Up The Volume - Best Of Fourth And Broadway Volume Two (CD, Comp) Boops (Here To Go) (12... Island Records 1988
Vibe Alive (Single, Maxi) ◄ (2 versions)   Columbia ... 1988
Best Of 12 Inch Gold (Volume 10) (CD, Comp) Rockit Old Gold (2) 1989
A Brief History Of Ambient - Volume 1 (2xCD, Comp) The End Of Words Virgin Records America, Inc. 1993
Twist And Shout (Maxi, Single) ◄ (4 versions) Rhythm Killer Mango ... 1993
80's Dance Party: Volume One (CD) Rockit SPG Music Productions Ltd. 1994
Zulu Groove (CD, Comp) World Destruction, Sha... Hudson Vandam Records 1997
Celluloid - The Electro Years - Why Is It Fresh? (CD, Comp) Grand Mixer C.I.U.!, T... Distance 1998
Materialism (CD)   Charly Schallplatten GmbH 1998
Grandmix - The Millennium Edition (3xCD, Mixed, Comp) Rockit Sony Music Media 1999
Mutant Disco: A Subtle Discolation Of The Norm ◄ (2 versions) Bustin' Out ZE Records 2003
For Those About To Vote (CD, Mixed, Promo) World Destruction Not On Label 2004
Coke Feel1Vibe The Mixtape (CD) Change Le Beat Supertracks 2005
Mutant Disco Volume 1 - A Subtle Discolation Of The Norm (CD) Bustin' Out ZE Records 2005
The Celluloid Years - 12"es And MORE... (2xCD) Zulu Groove (Original ... Collision: Cause Of Chapter 3 2006
Disco Not Disco: Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Disco Classics - 1974-1986 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Don't Lose Control Strut 2008
Dance Classics Volume 23 & 24 (3xCD, Comp + Box) Boops (Here To Go) (Re... Rodeo Media 2009
ZE30 - ZE Records Story 1979-2009 (2xLP, Comp) Bustin' Out (Seize The... Strut 2009
Co-production:
Future Shock (Album) ◄ (3 versions)   Columbia ... 1983
My Turn To Love You (12")   Elektra 1983
Nona (LP)   RCA 1983
Rockit (12")   Columbia 1983
Shango Funk Theology ◄ (2 versions)   Celluloid 1983
The Grand Mixer Cuts It Up (12")   CBS/Sony 1983
To The Bone (12")   RCA 1983
I Sweat (Going Through The Motions) ◄ (3 versions)   Arista ... 1984
Just Another Night (7") Just Another Night CBS, CBS 1985
Makossa '87 (Big Blow) (12") Makossa '87 (Big Blow)... Urban (2) 1986
Rock It (2xCD) Rockit Sony Music Entertainment (UK) 1998
Transformation: The Best Of Nona Hendryx (CD) Transformation, Keep I... Razor & Tie 1999
Mix:
Doriella Du Fontaine ◄ (2 versions)   Celluloid ... 1984
The Time Group Promo-Mix 69 (12", Promo) Horo Time S.p.A. 1995
Appears On:
Change The Beat ◄ (2 versions)   Celluloid ... 1982
What I Like ◄ (3 versions)   Celluloid 1982
Crazy Cuts (7" + Vinyl) Crazy Cuts, Crazy Cuts... Celluloid 1983
Crazy Cuts (12")   CBS/Sony 1983
Rap It! (LP) Change The Beat, The R... Celluloid 1983
Shango Funk Theology ◄ (2 versions)   Celluloid 1983
Shango Message (12")   Celluloid 1983
Zulu Groove (12")   Celluloid 1983
Debut LP Magazine - Issue 08/09 (LP) Shango Message CBS 1984
New York Hip Hop (Best Of Celluloid) (CD, Comp) What I Like CBS/Sony 1984
Thank You (12", Promo) Let's Party Down Celluloid 1984
Cairo Nights (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Change The Beat, What ... Celluloid ... 1985
The Light (LP, Album)   EMI 1988
Celluloid - The Electro Years - Why Is It Fresh? (CD, Comp) Crazy Cuts (Long Versi... Distance 1998
DJ-Kicks (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Ciquri (Discomix) Studio !K7 2002
More G.D.M. (CD, Comp) Secret Life Tigersushi 2002
New York Noise (CD, Sli) Reduction Soul Jazz Records 2003
Tracks Appear On:
A Christmas Record (Comp) ◄ (9 versions) It's A Holiday ZE Records ... 1981
Mutant Disco - A Subtle Discolation Of The Norm ◄ (4 versions) Bustin' Out Ariola Benelux ... 1981
Celluloid Presents (LP) Upriver, Secret Life Celluloid 1982
Disco Rough (LP) Upriver, Secret Life Island Records 1982
Double Art Vol. 2 (LP) Bustin' Out Ariola 1982
Radio Vidéo Hits (Vinyl, Comp) I'm The One K-Tel International (France) 1982
The Musicians Guide Volume 1 (LP, Comp) Upriver Elektra Musician 1982
Celluloid Label Disco Sampler (Vinyl, EP) Time Out, For A Few Do... CBS/Sony 1983
Come On Let's Dance (LP) I'm The One Ariola 1983
Bravo Break Dance Sensation '84 2 (LP, Comp) I'm The One Ariola 1984
New York Hip Hop (Best Of Celluloid) (CD, Comp) For A Few Dollars More... CBS/Sony 1984
Trilogy (3xLP) 1984, For A Few Dollar... Celluloid 1985
Beat Freaks (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) For A Few Dollars More Celluloid ... 1986
Hard Cell (LP, Comp) 1984 Celluloid 1986
Trilogy (LP) Memories RCA Victor 1987
Zetrospective (2xLP) Bustin'Out Island Records 1989
Zetrospective: Dancing In The Face Of Adversity / Hope Springs Eternal (2xCD, Album) Bustin'Out Island Records 1989
Axiom Collection - Illuminations (CD) Cosmic Slop Axiom 1991
A Brief History Of Ambient - Volume 1 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) The End Of Words Virgin Records America ... 1993
Excursions In Ambience - The Second Orbit ◄ (2 versions) Mantra (Praying Mantra... Astralwerks 1993
In Defense Of Animals Benefit Compilation (CD) Desert Star Restless Records 1993
Manifestation - Axiom Collection II ◄ (2 versions) Mantra (Doors Of Perce... Axiom 1993
On A Reggae Tip (LP) Reality Island Records, Island Records 1993
Trance Europe Express (Comp) ◄ (4 versions) Praying Mantra (Orb Re... Volume 1993
Big Hard Disk Vol. 2 (CD) Mantra (Praying Mantra... Smash Records 1994
Cream Of Cuts (CD, Promo, Smplr) Black Light (Edit) PolyGram 1994
Deconstruction - The Celluloid Recordings (2xCD, Comp) Memories, Reduction, F... Celluloid 1994
Unity ◄ (2 versions) Words Of Advice Totem Records 1994
You Can All Join In '94 (CD, Comp) Words Of Advice Vox Magazine 1994
110 Below - No Sleeve Notes Required (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Mantra (Doors Of Perce... 110 Below 1995
10% File Under Burroughs ◄ (2 versions) Ineffect Sub Rosa ... 1996
Altered Beats (12") 3D-Cut Transmission Axiom 1996
Altered Beats - Assassin Knowledges Of The Remanipulated (Album) ◄ (3 versions) 3D-Cut Transmission Axiom ... 1996
Auntie Aubrey's Excursions Beyond The Call Of Duty: The Orb Remix Project (Comp, Album) ◄ (5 versions) Praying Mantra Deviant Records ... 1996
Axiom Dub (12", Promo) Ghost Light/Dread Reca... Axiom 1996
Axiom Dub - Mysteries Of Creation (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Ghost Light/Dread Recall Axiom 1996
Café Local - Viva Local! (CD) Mantra Antler-Subway 1996
TEXtures ◄ (2 versions) Praying Mantra (Orb Re... Volume 1996
Tetragramaton - Submerge (CD, Comp) Turn The Screw, Active... Ion 1996
Asana (CD) Mantra Douglas Music 1997
Celluloidfunk - Avant Garde Grooves From Celluloid (CD, Comp) I'm The One, Reduction... Charly Schallplatten GmbH 1997
Submerged : Blooming Breaks + Bulging Beats (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Turn The Screw Incoming! 1997
Abstract Depressionism (CD) Downward APC 1998
Ecliptic: Tsuyoshi DJ Mix For Issey Miyake Men ◄ (3 versions) Mantra (Praying Mantra... Matsuri Productions ... 1998
Asana - Soul Practice (CD) Mantra (The Orb Remix) Meta Records 1999
Palm Pictures 1999 Sampler (CD, Promo, Smplr) Conspiracies Palm Pictures 1999
Transformation: The Best Of Nona Hendryx (CD) Bustin' Out Razor & Tie 1999
Asana 2 : Moving Meditation (CD) Devata Meta Records 2000
Disco Not Disco (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Over And Over (Long Ve... Strut 2000
Mega 80 Vol. 2 (4xCD) Memories Wagram 2000
Mystic Groove (CD) Ineffect Gold Circle Entertainment 2000
Planet Rave Vol. 1 (CD) Ineffect Triloka Records 2000
Disco Not Disco 2 ◄ (2 versions) Ciguri Strut 2001
DJ-Kicks (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Ciquri (Discomix) Studio !K7 2002
More G.D.M. (CD, Comp) Secret Life Tigersushi 2002
The Meta Collection (CD) Mantra (The Orb Remix ... Meta Records 2002
Mutant Disco: A Subtle Discolation Of The Norm ◄ (2 versions) Bustin' Out ZE Records 2003
New Religion Presents A Secret History ◄ (2 versions) Secret Life New Religion 2003
New York Noise ◄ (2 versions) Reduction Soul Jazz Records 2003
Ghetto Funk Sessions (2xCD, Comp) Over & Over Sessions 2004
Jet Set Edit Style (CD, Mixed) Reduction Jet Set Records, Japan 2004
Basscheck! ◄ (2 versions) Over & Over Crippled Dick Hot Wax! 2005
Beat The Street (Songs As Performed In The Old School Days) (3xCD) For A Few Dollars More Disky 2005
Mastercuts Funk Divas (3xCD, Comp) Memories Mastercuts 2005
More Adventures Of FunkSoul Sisters (CD, Comp) Memories, Over And Over Metro 2005
Mutant Disco Volume 1 - A Subtle Discolation Of The Norm ◄ (2 versions) Bustin' Out ZE Records 2005
Rupert Huber - Stereo Pictures Vol. 05 (CD, Mixed, dig) Reduction MK2 Music 2005
The Original Disco Selection (2xCD, Comp) Busting Out Original Selection Records 2005
25 Ans Radio Nova (25xCD, Comp + Box, Ltd) Reduction, I'm The One Nova Records 2006
Club NME Presents Dancefloor Distortion (CD) Secret Life New Musical Express 2006
Disco Grooves (2xCD, Comp) Busting Out Disky 2006
Lost Within The Fog & Strobe (CDr) Don’t Loose Control Panama Racing 2006
Mixed Up In The Hague Vol. 2 ◄ (2 versions) Don't Lose Control Panama Racing 2006
The Amazing Run In The Tube Vol. 1, 2 & 3 (3xCDr, Mixed, Ltd + Box) Time Out (Dub) Panama Racing 2006
The Amazing Run In The Tube Vol. 3 ◄ (2 versions) Time Out (Dub) Panama Racing 2006
The Triptych Promo 2 (CD, Mixed, Promo) Don't Lose Control Family Recordings (UK) 2006
Disco Not Disco: Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Disco Classics - 1974-1986 (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Don't Lose Control Strut 2008
Poplife™ Presents Poplife Sucks (CD, Comp, Mixed) Don't Lose Control 541 2008
ZE30 - ZE Records Story 1979-2009 (2xLP, Comp) Bustin' Out (Seize The... Strut 2009
ZE30: ZE Records Story 1979-2009 (CD, Comp) Bustin' Out Strut 2009
Bill Laswell Material And Friends (LP) Take A Chance, Discour... Celluloid  
Tam Tam Pour L'Afrique Vol. 1 (LP) Bustin' Out, Over & Over Not On Label  
Unofficial Releases:
Disco Break - Programming Breaks - Prince Medley (12", Mixed) Bustin' Out Not On Label 1981
1,2,3,4 \ One More Time (12", Mixed) Bustin Out Diamond Records (16) 1982
Mondj Egy Mesét - Dracula Hungarian Original / Secret Life (12", Unofficial, Ltd) Secret Life Supersound 2006
Supersound (3x12", Ltd, Comp) Secret Life Supersound 2007
Wonderful / Over (12") Over (GW ZE Edit) KAT 2007
Bustin' Out / 'Lectric Love (12") Bustin' Out (Vocal Edi... East End  
The New Wave Complex - Volume 2 (CDr) Don't Lose Control New Wave Complex  
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Mantra - Material Frankfurt 2002
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Reviews & Discussion

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Review by Harry_X Sep 15, 2002
The New York jazz new wave industrial conglomeration Bill Laswell started his career on. There are a lot of side projects: Golden Palominos, Massacre, Praxis,... Material made a mixture of noises, funk, new wave, jazz and industrial and became later a soul-funk-disco-project (Whitney Houston sung on "One Down"!), later again Material transformed to P-Funk and world music which became a little boring.
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