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Even on early Japan recordings, his highly distinctive fretless bass voice
for which he is most renowned can be heard. By their swan song, critically acclaimed
Tin Drum 1981, he was dubbed one of the best bass players in the world. He'd
already supplied bass and sax work to Gary Numan's Dance album and was the first
Japan member with a solo record -- Titles. In 1983, Japan's live album, Oil
on Canvas, brought his playing to new ears: jazz legend Jan Garberek.
The following year brought an unlikely collaboration with Peter
Murphy of Bauhaus. The Waking Hour became Dalis Car's only album and soon
Karn was again a solo agent teaming up with close friend Steve Jansen to produce
Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters. Session work with Kate
Bush and Joan Armatrading bridged Karn's solo efforts, which were few and
far between, often odd in title and texture (Beard in the Letter Box, Plaster
the Magic Tongue).
The early '90s saw a more prolific Karn who formed the label Medium with Jansen
and Richard Barbieri. All three joined guitarist David Torn to produce his best
efforts: Bestial Cluster (1993) and The Tooth Mother in 1995. Between these
came an experimental project, Polytown, again with Torn and drummer Terry Bozzio.
Its muscular and at times funky prog rock is not for the feint hearted. Karn
found time to spend on his sculpture work and a San Francisco sabbatical eventually
bore the album Each Eye a Path. Each Path A Remix followed in 2003 when a number
of Mick.. About for release in April 06 blends
Hip-Hop rhythms, evangelical choirs, Jazz and catchy vocals, all brought together
with a melodic and unpredictable bass line, it belies the simplicity of the
love song at the heart of the track. The alternative A side introduces the voice
of new vocalist Bex Collins in a dark, moody setting with the surprising addition
of fuzz bass guitars and a Gypsy violin. ALL YOU HAVE was auditioned extensively
before Mick decided on Bex as the missing element needed to complete the song.
"I gave no indication of what I wanted to hear," explains Mick, "It's
a strange track, but I knew the right singer would understand it without any
guidance."
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