One
of the most unusual "best
of" collections you'll ever own – given that it features material pulled together from seven different albums by Ben LaMar Gay – none
of which were ever released! The package is more
of a debut than anything else – and a hell
of a musical statement, too – as Ben's music is almost completely without referent – and that's saying a lot, given the already genre-busting nature
of other releases on the International Anthem label! We might list the music under jazz – as it does feature some jazz instrumentation – but there's also lots
of electronic elements too, often used in these shape-shifting ways that criss cross with other elements – like bass clarinet, flute, viola, and voice – all kind
of crashing together in waves
of sonic energy that embrace multiple genres at once, but never have the hokey result
of other music that might try to do such a thing. Instead, imagine Ben's voice as being this bold cut-up experiment (in the original William S Burroughs mode) – but one that might have been taken across the scope
of an entire record collection, sweeping up snatches
of jazz, electronica, orchestral music, folk, hip hop, and lots more – all with results that are as revolutionary as Burroughs' writing. Titles include "Muhal", "Music For 18 Hairdressers – Braids &
Friends", "7th Stanza", "Gator Teeth", "Swim Swim", "Kunni", "Oh No Not Again", "Jubilee", and "A Seasoning Called Primavera".
(Jazz, Out Sound)