William "Bill" Laswell is an American bassist, producer, and composer known for his pioneering work in electronic and dub music. He is one of the most prolific musicians of all time, having released over 400 albums since the early 1980s.
Laswell was born in Salem, New York in 1955. He began playing the bass after being inspired by his older brother's record collection of jazz, blues, and rock albums. By the time he was a teenager, Laswell was already an accomplished bassist, playing in local bands and teaching himself music theory.
In the late 1970s, Laswell became involved in the burgeoning punk and new wave music scenes in New York City. He formed the influential band Material with Michael Beinhorn and Fred Maher, which released four albums between 1980 and 1984. He also played bass on several albums by Herbie Hancock and the punk band Theoretical Girls.
In the 1980s, Laswell began to explore the possibilities of electronic music. He formed the iconic ambient and dub band Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart and worked closely with producer Adrian Sherwood and industrial groups such as Ministry and Einstürzende Neubauten. Laswell also began to produce records for a wide variety of artists, including Mick Jagger, Bootsy Collins, Yoko Ono, and Iggy Pop.
In the 1990s, Laswell continued to push the boundaries of electronic music. He founded the groundbreaking label Axiom Records, which released music by artists such as Bill Frisell, Karsh Kale, and The Orb. He also worked with such diverse artists as Public Enemy, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and the NYC-based hip-hop collective The Jungle Brothers.
Laswell has continued to be a leader in electronic and dub music, releasing a steady stream of albums with collaborators such as Bernie Worrell, Tetsu Inoue, and Jah Wobble. He has also written and produced soundtracks for films such as The Matrix and Blade II.
Laswell's influence on the music industry has been vast, and his body of work is a testament to his creativity and relentless dedication. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination for his work on Herbie Hancock's album Future Shock. With a career spanning four decades and over 400 albums, Bill Laswell is one of the most influential and prolific musicians of all time.
