MATERIAL
Intonarumori (Palm Pictures/Axiom)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Lest we all forget, "rap is still an art," or so it says here. Bill Laswell shimmies his latest Material conglomerate deep into the hiphop world with resounding success. Inflicting ominous rap on his sultry dub soundscapes proves a brilliant merger. Reigned in by slinky slow beats, spouters like Killah Priest and Ramm Ell Zee are forced into a poetic stance that gives their words new found depth. Ell Zee has never sounded better as on the slick "No Guts No Galaxy" - a pulsing bit of triphop with just the right amount of turntable scratches, big Bill's bass and some clever wordplay. The sexy strains of Lori Carson and Alicia Blue will satiate those longing for the Golden Palominoes project, and gives the record a nice balance. A win win situation, though now ya gotta clear some room for this one in yer ever growing Laswell collection.

© 1999 - John Sekerka