Jon Hassell -- Classic Or Dud?

Ha, pfork says 7.3.

I think Hassell's discography is so consistently brilliant and unique, pretty much any way is a good direction. Some of the availability of his catalogue is a bit spotty, unfortunately. But, it's all worthwhile.

― (V) (°,,,,°) (V) (Austin), Friday, June 8, 2018 2:15 PM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I have everything he's ever released and I agree with this statement. Even City, which I didn't connect with at the time, sounds brilliant and ahead of its time to me now

I think I took City: Works of Fiction for granted because it was the first album of his I got and it was hilariously easy to acquire (especially in comparison to the lengths I had to go to get some of his other records). The three disc reissue from a few years back was a great way to get to reintroduce myself to it.

I think I need to revisit the Bluescreen album. I remember it being the other one of his, besides City, that was most common in used bins. I bought it the first time, when I was just kind of exploring new things in college and it was played maybe twice. I either traded it or gave it away, don't remember. But then I reacquired it about a decade ago, right around the time Last Night the Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes in the Street came out and the majority of his back catalogue was out of print and second hand copies were rising in price. I may have listened to Bluescreen three times since then. So, yeah: it's due for a reassessment, I think.

I've never managed to fall in love with the Bluescreen album but it does contain one of my all time favourite Hassell tracks in "Blue Night (live)" which is literally and metaphorically lumped on the end of the cd. It's totally out of step with the rest of the album and more akin to something from "Power Spot", but is so, so sublime.

I've not listened to the new one enough to really formualte an opinion yet.

i just listened to "Listening To Pictures" again and oddly, I'd swear the track "Ndeya" samples the track "Blue Night (live)" mentioned above.

so happy I am home and listening to this new one, sounds great so far

Also, if you guys don't know it, this one is terrific:

https://www.discogs.com/Jon-Hassell-Fascinoma/master/527072

oh my god "Picnic" - I can see where y'all are getting the Oval vibes from

Dream Theory in Malaya is good (especially the last 3 tracks), but the relentless fluttering of "Chor Moire" and unsettling squelchy loop on "Datu Bintung at Jelong" both make me feel like I'm about to have a panic attack.

Didn't expect *this* Jon Hassell at all. A lovely surprise.

The end of Picnic sounds like Zawinul! Marvellous.

Dream Theory in Malaya is good (especially the last 3 tracks), but the relentless fluttering of "Chor Moire" and unsettling squelchy loop on "Datu Bintung at Jelong" both make me feel like I'm about to have a panic attack.

― Hideous Lump, Saturday, June 9, 2018 12:38 AM (eight hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

My wife has the same reaction to this record, and uses the same words ("panic attack") to describe it. She also refers to it "anxiety music" despite liking or at least being indifferent to everything else by Hassell she's heard. The only other thing that inspires such a reaction from her is Wolfgang Voigt (solo, not GAS), whose music she loathes

What do people think of surgeon of the nightsky

I love it

this thing is great! reminds me a bit of the ambient electronic jazz that Justin Walter has been putting out on Kranky

Received mine yesterday. Wonderful and quiet pressing except for an annoying defect at the end of side 1, a very audible ticking / scuff sound. Anyone else experience this?

Got this in the mail today and just finished up my first listen now. Wow, what a wonderful turn in sound from Last Night the Moon Came Dropping its Clothes in the Street. That was essentially beatless, where this new one definitely has a rhythmic base, but not quite as defined as Maarifa Street. First impression is that it strikes a perfect balance between the funky backbeats of Maarifa Street and the impressionistic wash of Last Night the Moon Came Dropping its Clothes in the Street. Fantastic.

I like this but the drum sounds on "Pastorale Vassant" sound distractingly dated where everything else sounds unattached to any time.

They don't bother me, but I see what you mean. They're mixed pretty low though, and used subtly throughout, so it's not like you're listening to "Come To Daddy" or something

It's a mid-90s Wire Magazine wet dream ;-)

I really like it, first four tracks especially so far. Breezes by at <37 minutes.

For those that hoped for more in the *Last Night the Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes* vein, some of that itch may be scratched by Sly & Robbie Meet Nils Petter Molvær feat. Eivind Aarset and Vladislav Delay - *Nordub* (2018).

Caveat, Nordub is really is more of an African Head Charge type album than Fourth World (though I think it would be great at -30% tempo). NP Molvær's past work is closest to a Hassell protege I'm aware of.

This Sly and Robbie is fantastic - thanks for the heads up. Have added to the Sly & Robbie thread.

On my first listen, this is wonderful.
Lovely liner notes from Hassell himself. Good to read this: "Finally, I'm pleased to note that this record also marks a valued moment of reconnection with my longtime friend, Brian Eno."

What is the connection to Eno here?

No actual/musical connection with this particular album. There's some background on the reconnection in this candid interview with Billboard (and a not so subtle diss on David Byrne :)

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8463129/jon-hassell-interview

But anyway, my lingering scars of being left off any mention of My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, that was the clearest evidence that the backroom boys – Brian's managers and David's managers of the time – [were like] "Hold on here, that guy could come after you with a big lawsuit." And I was still in the ivory tower frame of mind and didn't have a structure there. If I had been Ry Cooder and had a management structure, that would have been my harpoon to lance this appropriation. So I wrote a 50-page letter a couple years ago when I was way down on my luck, and I made a big reconnection with Brian, and I would say we're brothers now. And that was a rough patch for me. But that's ironed itself out. I've had zero contact with David, but he's not exactly in the same intellectual class with Brian, so that's not surprising.

Yikes

what did he contribute to the record? serious question, I never knew he was involved. I guess I could look up the chapter in Rip It Up but I'm at work.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq-HZ5IHnAm/

what did he contribute to the record? serious question, I never knew he was involved. I guess I could look up the chapter in Rip It Up but I'm at work.

jon hassell fucking RULES.

i picked up a nice copy of Power Spot yesterday and it has blown my mind. it's up there with his very best work, if not above it. produced by eno/lanois, recorded in 83 but not really released until 86 (i think)? many of the songs are hypnotic in a way that reminds me of some songs on the francis bebey Psychedelic Sanza 1982-1984 comp.

10 out of 10. five stars. "A Masterpiece", an early Oscar Pick, 6 bags of popcorn, 6 sodas.

I give Jon Has.. Jona Hassle.. Jon Has Well's 'Power Spot' five bags of popcorn and an extra bag of popcorn.

(sorry. great album I did not know yet, but digging it thanks to you)

Power Spot is indeed very mighty — and quite possibly his most representative album. Like, if you just want one slab of vinyl to represent "What is Jon Hassell?", Power Spot is it.

My overall favorite is still his other ECM album from a few years back; Last Night the Moon Came Dropping its Clothes in the Street.

if you just want one slab of vinyl to represent "What is Jon Hassell?", Power Spot is it.


Just by coincidence, yesterday I was daydreaming about this very question, and how I would be unable to answer! I was imagining the goofy feeling of recommending Jon Hassell to someone and then being unable to give them a good starting point. I think I imagined just suggesting they start with Possible Musics so they could go ahead and check out his most well known album and save even better stuff for later. But Power Moves is probably an even better place to start.

Glad you like it LBI! My appreciation for Hassell’s music grows every time I listen

you guys checked this out, it rules: https://soundcloud.com/frasconimusic/sets/jon-hassell-group-1982

I think what marks out Power Spot is that it is a lot tighter and more explicitly rhythmically structured than the albums that precede it (Possible Musics, Dream Theory in Malaya etc.) but still very much exemplifies the ideas he was pursuing on those albums - so if you wanted an album that not only explained Hassell but also his influence on a lot of subsequent music it fulfills that role very handily.

I used to put "Wing Melodies" on a lot of mix-cds alongside stuff like Ricardo Villalobos and O'Rang and Laika and it fit very nicely in that context.

I like Last Night the Moon most too. Probably because it has a strong dub influence.

Of the 3-4 I've heard (including Power Spot, which I like), Listening to Pictures is my favourite. Here's to hoping he'll release another one soon.

Looks like the sequel will be coming out this summer, called Seeing Through Sound.

So thriled about it — Listening to Pictures is one of my favorite records of all time, and a favorite Hassell record.

(He mentions it at the end of this recent Aquarium Drunkard interview: https://aquariumdrunkard.com/2020/03/05/jon-hassell-the-aquarium-drunkard-interview/)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_knIhkDfW6/?igshid=1qrr5tq9eqyz7

From his website:

Jon Hassell Needs Your Help

Jon Hassell is one of the most influential composers of the last 50 years. His invention of what he called ‘4th World Music’ opened the way for a fresh look at, and deeper respect for, the music of other cultures around the world. His recordings have had a big impact on other musicians, and, through them, have changed musical tastes dramatically. His unique intellectual contribution is also noteworthy: he is a tireless and articulate theorist as well as a great musician.

Jon is going through hard times now. I feel that many of us owe him a debt of gratitude, so perhaps making a contribution to this fund is a way we can thank him.

Brian Eno
London, April 28, 2020


One of the giants of modern music, trumpeter, and composer Jon Hassell has been a true innovator for decades and his influence has been incalculable. Now, at 83, because of long-term health issues, Jon is in a dire position and needs financial assistance to ensure a safe and sustainable living situation going forward. As Jon is in the highest risk group for COVID-19, the urgency of his condition has become even more acute in recent weeks.

To address his pressing needs, we--a group of Jon's family, friends, and collaborators--are reaching out to his audience and fan base around the world to ask for help. If you are a fan of Jon's music, we would greatly appreciate any contribution you can make at this extremely challenging moment. Thank you.

-De Fracia Evans, Uti Cleveland, Taska Cleveland, Rick Cox, Peter Freeman, Dan Schwartz, Robert Walsh, and Luke Schwartz

‘Murica.

New album Seeing Through Sound is out 24th July. Pre-orders are up now, and there's a single (Fearless) out in all the usual places...

That's awesome news, doubly so in light of his recent financial troubles and the fact that he's 83!

https://jonhassell.bandcamp.com/album/seeing-through-sound-pentimento-volume-two

new album is very nice

Compared to vol. 1, this one felt a little rushed to me, its pieces too blocky to allow for immersion. I need to spend more time with it.

it was recorded during the same sessions as vol 1 fwiw!

different but not lesser imo

the "pentimento" in the title that describes scraping paint off to see what an artist originally painted is how he approached this one in the studio apparently, but scraping bits of sound off, which might be what is giving you an impression of rushed?