"Records are just moments of achievement. They're like receipts for work done. Time goes on and people keep playing music"

Bill Laswell's quote, "Records are simply minutes of accomplishment. They're like invoices for work done. Time goes on and people keep playing music", shows a profound understanding of the transient nature of music, imagination, and accomplishment.

To start with, Laswell likens records to "minutes of achievement", suggesting that each record, or album, is a snapshot of a specific point in an artist's imaginative journey. This point of view highlights the temporality of musical ventures; each record captures the essence of the time, ideas, and feelings present throughout its production. It is a celebration of imagination and effort, a turning point in an artist's progressing journey.

The metaphor of records being "receipts for work done" highlights the concrete element of an artist's labor. Just like a receipt acknowledges a deal, a record acknowledges the investment of time, energy, and creative expression. While the invoice itself records a past action, it is not completion of the deal; it's a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm put into the work.

Furthermore, Laswell's assertion that "time goes on and people keep playing music" encapsulates the vibrant and enduring nature of music itself. Music, as an art kind, is not static; it develops and persists beyond any single record or accomplishment. While specific works might be celebrated or remembered, the ever-continuing act of developing and carrying out music goes beyond specific accomplishments. Artists continue to innovate, experiment, and reveal new ideas, making sure that music stays a living, breathing entity.

In essence, Laswell's quote invites us to appreciate records both as substantial accomplishments and as mere parts of a bigger, continuous musical narrative. It is a pointer that music has to do with the constant process of production and sharing, going beyond the boundaries of specific moments of success. The world of music is perpetually in motion, with artists consistently adding to its ever-expanding tapestry.