One of the numerous projects of multi-instrumental bassist and producer Bill Laswell, Material played a key role in the late-1970s/early-80s New York City scene that saw disco merge with punk and the avant-garde to create a radical new vision of dance-club culture. In addition to key sides such as "Don't Lose Control" and "Ciquiri," core members of the mercurial ensemble also provided backing for Herbie Hancock on his famed FUTURESHOCK album. Laswell would continue to use the Material name on and off for decades.