Is Akasha a good place to start with Bill Laswell?

Yes, Akasha is recommended as a starting point for new Bill Laswell listeners. A sprawling sonic landscape where dub textures intertwine with expansive jazz improvisation, creating a meditative auditory experience. In 1995, Bill Laswell was deeply entrenched in the avant-garde music scene, known for his innovative fusion of genres. 'Akasha' was released shortly after his significant collaborative project 'Panthalassa' (1994), marking a continued exploration of transcultural soundscapes and experimental forms. This album further solidified his reputation as a pioneering figure in contemporary music production.

Akasha works well if you're into immersive soundscapes for exploration, patient unfolding with gradual intensity and ideal for late-night introspection.

How many songs are on Akasha?

Akasha has 7 tracks, running approximately 88 minutes.

Akasha

Bill Laswell · 1995

88 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A sprawling sonic landscape where dub textures intertwine with expansive jazz improvisation, creating a meditative auditory experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Descent Start here — Opening with an expansive 14-minute journey, this track encapsulates the essence of the album’s exploration of depth and atmosphere through layered soundscapes.
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Rain Dream — This track features intricate rhythms and ethereal textures that evoke a sense of tranquility, highlighting Laswell's ability to blend organic sounds with electronic elements.
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Illuminoid Assassin — Closing the album with a compelling synergy of tension and release, this track fuses complex bass lines with haunting melodies, embodying the experimental spirit of 'Akasha'.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's immersive sound design and genre-blending composition create a unique listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features long, flowing tracks that often exceed six minutes, allowing for extended improvisation and exploration of themes.
Each track employs layered textures, with dub effects creating a sense of depth and space in the sound.
The instrumentation varies significantly between tracks, incorporating elements from jazz, electronic, and world music traditions.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

immersive soundscapes for exploration
patient unfolding with gradual intensity
ideal for late-night introspection
deep listening for focused sessions

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek short, standalone songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Ambitious blend of genres, praised for immersive sound design and influence.
Themes: transcultural soundscapes· meditative auditory experience· ethereal textures
Career context: In 1995, Bill Laswell was deeply entrenched in the avant-garde music scene, known for his innovative fusion of genres. 'Akasha' was released shortly after his significant collaborative project 'Panthalassa' (1994), marking a continued exploration of transcultural soundscapes and experimental forms. This album further solidified his reputation as a pioneering figure in contemporary music production.
Stylistic neighbors: Tackhead· Herbie Hancock· Thievery Corporation