Inspired by the original Industrial Records release of William S.
Burroughs's Nothing Here Now but the Recordings, Belgian record label
Sub Rosa worked with Burroughs to release another album: Break Through
In Grey Room. Originally compiled in 1986 by producer Bill Rich, the
album features Burroughs's experimental recordings from 1961 to 1976,
featuring field recordings by Burroughs of the Master Musicians of
Jajouka, experimental collaborations with mathematician Ian Sommerville
and painter/cut-up originator Brion Gysin.
Break Through In Grey Room documents William S. Burroughs during his
time in Europe and England, working with Ian Sommerville on recording
with the 'cut-up' technique. Sommerville's technical background enabled
him to contribute to the early development of sound-and-light shows in
London, leading to work with gear provided by Paul McCartney in an
apartment owned by Ringo Starr. Experimental in nature, the record is as
much an exhibition of studio and composition technique as it is a
document of underground culture at that time.
For the 2023 reissue, Dais Records has collaborated with the Estate of
William S. Burroughs on reissuing the album on vinyl and compact disc,
fully remastered by mastering engineer Josh Bonati.
English