While so many artists are known if they are the frontman of any project or simply a larger project name overrides any recognition for the individual musicians involved in the project per se. But some artists’ work is just so good, they are so talented, that they cannot help but be known – even if mainly among artists themselves, not to mention producers and band managers. Session musicians, touring musicians, co-composers and often producers themselves, their name gradually can surface figuratively everywhere. From there, it’s usually quite a delight when an artist fitting that bill goes it alone, so to speak, releasing his or her solo music to the world.
Today we have the pleasure of presenting you the full album of celebrated American bassist Josh Werner, bound to thrill fans of Brian Eno, David Sylvian, Michael Brook, Japan, William Basinski and Jaco Pastorious. His new album ‘Mode For Titan’ is also now available on CD via NYC-based label M.O.D. Reloaded. This is the debut solo offering from the NYC-based experimental dreamweaver, grounded in minimalist beauty and co-produced by legendary American bassist / producer Bill Laswell. This record is stellar in its diversity, its level of equilibrium, grounding effect, and sheer talent, not to mention impeccable production.
‘Mode For Titan’ proves that the bass is a melodic and ambient force in its own right. Writing on and for the bass, Josh Werner explores new dimensions of composition and improvisation, and effortlessly moves through sonic textures, all without a conventional rhythm section. Here, Werner explores novel instrumental territory, including the sitar bass, seven-string and fretless bass.
A seasoned composer, performer and abstract painter, Werner has made quite a name for himself working in a variety of styles, most notably in dub, experimental rock, hip hop and jazz. His work with Ghostface Killer, CocoRosie, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Cibo Matto, PopCaan, James Brandon Lewis, Matisyahu, Sly and Robbie, Wu Tang Clan and TV On The Radio‘s Tunde Adebimpe has cemented his status as a low-end heavyweight.
“I’m excited about the CD release of my solo bass record ‘Mode for Titan’. This music was recorded masterfully by Bill Laswell for a high end listening experience. These compositions and performances were dreamt as deep landscapes to get lost in and explore. This format shows the full range of the bass frequency with lush depth, high fidelity and concise sheen, happy it is available for the discerning listener,” says Josh Werner.
Producer Bill Laswell’s production endows this sonic journey with a vast sense of space, painted in a ray of colors as boundless as the producer’s own palette. While a wide array of influences is heard on Werner’s compositions, it’s the introspective creative focus that guides. Simplicity, beauty and space are constant in this journey, and the rich colors of Laswell’s sonic translations are the compass.
Previewed the grounding and pulsating track ‘Traversal’, “Mode for Titan is a hybrid of improvised performances and meditative compositions.. Bill and I wanted to make an “all bass” statement, free from the usual suspects of the rhythm section, which could show range and depth of the instrument as a compositional and sonic tool,” says Werner.
Raised in Milwaukee, Josh Werner was a private student of Richard Davis. In 1996, he moved to New York and attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music program. His years of recording and performing with top-tier and cutting-edge artists has made an imprint on his identity and place in music history. Werner is also a frequent collaborator of Bill Laswell via such projects as Method Of Defiance and Bass invaders.
The ‘Mode For Titan’ LP is now availableeverywhere, including Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify and Bandcamp. You can order it on CD at https://www.amazon.com/Mode-Titan-Josh-Werner/dp/B08HGP1BM5
CREDITS
All songs written by Josh Werner
Josh Werner: basses
Engineered by James Dellatacoma
Produced by Bill Laswell & Josh Werner
Recorded and mixed at Orange Music, West Orange, NJ
Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper at TurtleTone Studio NYC
Cover artwork by Josh Werner
Cover design by Yoko Yamabe @randesign
MOD Reloaded: David Brunelle, Yoko Yamabe
Photography by Bianca Casady
Keep up with Josh Werner
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