Baselines (album)

Baselines is the debut album of American composer Bill Laswell.[6][7] It was released on June 14, 1983, by Elektra Records.[8][9]

Baselines
Studio album by Bill Laswell
Released	June 14, 1983
Recorded	March, 1982 at OAO Studio, Brooklyn, NY
Genre	Jazz-funk, dub
Length	33:16
Label	Elektra
Producer	Material
Bill Laswell chronology
Baselines (1983) Low Life (1987)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	B[2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[3]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[4]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	8/10[5]

Critical reception

The Spin Alternative Record Guide wrote that the album "has no trouble conjuring up strong pop-inflected atmospheres."[5]

Track listing

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Activate"	Michael Beinhorn, Bill Laswell	3:20
2.	"Work Song"	Michael Beinhorn, Bill Laswell, George Lewis	7:11
3.	"Hindsight"	Martin Bisi, Bill Laswell	3:54
4.	"Uprising"	Bill Laswell	1:03

Side two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Barricade"	Michael Beinhorn, Bill Laswell, George Lewis	4:06
2.	"Upright Man"	Michael Beinhorn, Bill Laswell	3:50
3.	"Moving Target"	Michael Beinhorn, Bill Laswell	1:51
4.	"Lowlands"	Michael Beinhorn, Bill Laswell	4:24
5.	"Conservation"	Bill Laswell	4:51

Personnel

Adapted from the Baselines liner notes.[10]

Musicians Michael Beinhorn – Prophet-5, synthesizer, shortwave, tape (A1, A2, A4, B1, B2, B4, B5) Ralph Carney – bass saxophone and contrabass clarinet (A1, A2, B1) Fred Frith – guitar and violin (A4, B1, B4, B5) George Lewis – trombone (A1, A2, B1, B4) Ronald Shannon Jackson – drums (A1, A4, B1, B4, B5) Bill Laswell – Ibanez 8-string, Fender 6-string, Fender Fretless Precision, Music Man Sting Ray, Steinberger bass David Moss – voice, steel drum and percussion (A3, B5) Daniel Ponce – congas (A2, A3, B2, B4) Phillip Wilson – drums (A2)

Technical personnel Martin Bisi – recording, drums, percussion (A3, B2, B3) Material – producer Howie Weinberg – mastering

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	1983	Elektra	LP, CS	60221
United States	1983	Celluloid New York	LP	CEL NY 6005
United States	1984	Celluloid	CD	CELCD 5505
United Kingdom	1984	Rough Trade	LP	ROUGH 51
Portugal	1997	Charly	CD	CPCD 8284

References

1. Genzel, Christian. "Baselines". AllMusic. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
2. Christgau, Robert. "Bill Laswell: Baselines". Robert Christgau.com. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
3. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Volume 5: MUZE. p. 102.CS1 maint: location (link)
4. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 660.
5. Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 242.
6. "Bill Laswell | Biography & History". AllMusic.
7. Palmer, Robert (May 4, 1983). "THE POP LIFE (Published 1983)" – via NYTimes.com.
8. Robbins, Ira (2007). "Bill Laswell". Trouser Press. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
9. "Bill Laswell - Baselines". Celluloid Records. 2014. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
10. Baselines (sleeve). Bill Laswell. New York City, New York: Elektra Records. 1984.CS1 maint: others (link)

External links

• Baselines at Bandcamp
• Baselines at Discogs (list of releases)