Sxl was a short-lived project of
Bill Laswell's in the late '80s, combining the funk/world direction he developed on albums like
Hear No Evil with the spectacular Korean percussion ensemble
SamulNori. With
Ronald Shannon Jackson and
Aiyb Dieng complementing
Laswell in the rhythm section and
Shankar's electric violin flying in the lead, the makings of a fine band were already in place, but with the addition of the four Korean drummers, you had the potential for sheer, joyous sonic overload. The first of the two side-length tracks, "Voice of Thunder," opens with
Laswell's quartet establishing a fine post-Milesian groove for about ten minutes before a break in which
SamulNori stakes a claim to the rhythm. It's one of the central conceptual victories of this music that
Laswell was able to see a connection between his brand of free funk and a Korean music centuries old. These drummers are quite able to give
Jackson a run for his money and then some (check out their superb disc on CMP, Rhythm of Changes). The second cut, "Speed of Light," reverses the prior order, beginning with
SamulNori in full splendor, their unusually (to Western ears) tuned drums and gongs a-clatter with strong, vibrant rhythms. Toward the end, they're joined seamlessly by
Laswell's band to ride out the piece in delirium.
Into the Outlands is a fine disc (released several times by several different labels) and fits in comfortably with the best of
Laswell-associated items from the late '80s. ~ Brian Olewnick