The Contortions: Buy Vinyl LP

Contort yourself! James Chance, aka James White, was among the more colorful figures of New York's CBGBs scene. A sharp-dressed saxophonist, he's credited with putting the funk in the punk during a period when black music influences were unheard of in the downtown avant-rock scene. Chance's mix of free jazz and disco within a punk-rock framework proved highly influential, and this 1978 debut by his band the Contortions has become a seminal post punk/new wave (or "No Wave") classic. Contains tracks like "Contort Yourself," "Design To Kill," "My Infatuation," and "Bedroom Athlete" that were sort of benchmarks for the sax-ier side of the genre. Nice 2022 reissue by Superior Viaduct with original artwork and liner notes by Marc Masters; recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
• includes printed insert w/ new liner notes
• original release year: 1979
• music label: Superior Viaduct 2022

reviewed by TKB 05/2015