Label: Discos Transgenero - TRANS-6

1980年代初頭から中期にかけてロサンゼルスのアンダーグラウンドミュージックシーンで活躍、その後は映画業界の方へシフトした伝説の前衛コンポーザーJohn J. Lafia。1984年に発表した唯一の個人名義カセット[Prayers]は名作として知られており、本作はその[Prayers]から6曲を抜粋、その他当時のコンピレーション音源と共に纏め上げた全16曲からなる非常にオイシイ内容の回顧録2LP。フラフラと落ち着きの無いエレクトロポップ、独創的なスポークンワード、サイコドラマのサントラなど、殆どの楽曲が太いリズム及びループを軸に構成されており、何よりこの独特のオブスキュアな世界観が最高。重厚なゲートフォールドジャケット。









Excellent compilation LP with works by LA avant-garde composer John Lafia. Gatefold edition of 400 copies.

Active in Los Angeles’ 1980-1986 underground music scene, John Lafia is best known for the hypnotic album Prayers, released through Barry Craig’s influential, cassette-only label Trance Port Tapes. "Life Is Short", "A Promise", “Dream", “Hidden Things", "Spaghetti Western", and "Escape" come from that release.

This compilation also features tracks from subsequent Trance Port releases: LA Mantra 2 ’s "Queen Of The Nile" and Phantom Takes’ "The Moth". John’s “Odyssey Girls” appeared on the seminal 1983 spoken word LP, English As A Second Language. “The Confession,” a collaboration with legendary producer Ethan James, was released on 1986’s LP, Voices From North America. While recording this music, Hollywood-based John also dreamt of making his own films.

To support himself, he intermittently crewed on low-budget movies, including fellow UCLA Film School alumni, Alex Cox’s infamous Repo Man. Cinematic influence comes to the fore in titles such as, “Spaghetti Western”, “Queen Of The Nile”, “Escape”, and “Hidden Things”. Working alone endlessly in his home studio, John used the recording environment as a launching pad for exploring his uncensored psyche’s furthest dimensions. Hours of repetitive rhythms often transported him into trance-like states.

Tracks “Propaganda” and “Art Of The Jungle” exemplify this technique. Others, “4AM”, “Doubt”, and “Montgomery Park”, are miniature psychodramas (replete with three-act structures). Songs "Life Is Short", and "Dream" grapple with life’s fragile and unknowable essence. "The Moth", "Fourth Of July", and "SOS", are sonic journeys into trance-like repetition.

This intensely personal music never intended to "find" an audience; it was a means in and of itself. Its decades-later rebirth in this compilation is a joyous surprise.