Laddio Bolocko – ‘Live & Unreleased 1997-2000’ 3LP [No Quarter]

Some stuff’s just meant to be heard live. Though in the case of Laddio Bolocko, who disbanded in 2000 after just four years together, the next best thing is this triple LP release of live recordings, packaged with a DVD (though I’m still wondering sincerely who actually has time to watch bonus music DVDs nowadays).

Consisting of bass, guitar, saxophone and drums, Laddio Bolocko were an instrumental rock group with an attitude towards experimenting closer tied to improvisational free jazz. Labelled ‘noise rock’, ‘math rock’ and ‘experimental rock’ for the limited studio recordings that they did offer up, it was said to be more their shows than anything in which they really took off.

Playing live the New York quartet morphed together in equal parts the best elements of Sonic Youth, Mars Volta (who drummer Blake Fleming went on to co-found) and Ornette Coleman, with a hardcore edge. Whatever you want to call it it’s brilliant, and not to be overlooked or forgotten, as this collection of live material will properly blow your mind.

The six sides of music Live & Unreleased 1997-2000 consist of recordings from five sets between this period and represents the type of reissue we need more of. Big ups No Quarter for a brilliant release. It seems to still be filtering in to all good record stores now, but you can order it straight from the label here: http://noquarter.net/product/laddio-bolocko-live-and-unreleased-1997-2000-pre-order/