The Guerilla record label shone briefly but oh so brightly. Launched in 1990 by William Orbit and Richard O'Dell aka Disc O'Dell, it was ran until 1994 (although it was 2003 before the company was formally dissolved).
The sight of the custom camouflage 12" single designed by Steven Cook - sometimes in blue, sometimes in green - in the record rack was a happy moment, a guarantee of quality locked in the grooves.
Guerilla was instrumental in bringing progressive house music to a wider audience and in particular introducing me to artists such as Spooky, D.O.P. and React 2 Rhythm, who have remained required listening ever since.
William Orbit debuted Bassomatic (or Bass-o-matic, if you prefer) on the Guerilla before a deal with Virgin Records beckoned, and released the seminal Water From A Vine Leaf, featuring Beth Orton and remixes from Spooky and Underworld. An edit of the original version closes this selection.
Spooky and Underworld teamed up for a classic remix of the former's single Schmoo, getting today's mixtape off to a rousing start.
Spooky make three further appearances, firstly remixing Jo Bogaert (the brains behind Technotronic) and The Chameleon Project aka D.O.P. aka Kevin Hurry and Kevin Swain.
There's also Persuasion, their frankly stunning collaboration with Billie Ray Martin on the Throbbing Gristle song, with D.O.P. returning the favour on remix duties.
D.O.P. (Dance Only Productions, if you were wondering) released two volumes of Musicians Of The Mind, which don't get the attention and respect afforded to contemporary albums by Underworld, Orbital or Fluke, but were must-have purchases at the time and still hold up, thirty years on.
Speaking of Orbital, they dub up early Drum Club single Alchemy, whilst Glasgow legends Slam soup up Supereal.
I could go on about the rest of the selection, the glaringly obvious omissions, the expertly curated compilations that Guerilla issued in those golden years. Instead, I'll just point you to the music for the next 87 minutes. I'd love to hear what you think.
1) Schmoo (Underworld Mix): Spooky ft. Heather Sian Wildman (1993)
2) Go Getta Nutha Man (The Whole Shabang Mix By Phil Kelsey): Bassomatic ft. Divine & Glory B (1991)
3) I Still Want Ya (Nooshty Mix By Lisa Loud & Mat Clark): Outer Mind (1992)
4) Ooh La La (Album Version): D.O.P. (1993)
5) Your Face In My Mind (Pat Pong Ghekko Blast Mix By William Orbit): Lizzie Tear (1990)
6) Rhythm Addiction (Lea Bridge Road Mix By Sugar J. & F.C. Harmony): React 2 Rhythm (1990)
7) Alchemy (Phasers On Dub Mix By Orbital): Drum Club ft. Kate Holmes (1993)
8) Water (Spooky's Heavy Water Mix): Jo Bogaert (1994)
9) Feel (Spooky Remix (Part 1)): The Chameleon Project (1993)
10) Persuasion (D.O.P. Mix) (Cover of Throbbing Gristle): Billie Ray Martin & Spooky (1993)
11) United State Of Love (The Slam Remix): Supereal ft. Janet Cofie (1992)
12) Fight Back (Rootsman Version By Digidub aka Lee Berwick): The Moody Boys (1994)
13) Water From A Vine Leaf (Album Edit): William Orbit ft. Beth Orton (1993)
1990: Rhythm Addiction EP: 6
1990: Your Face In My Mind EP: 5
1991: Go Getta Nutha Man EP: 2
1992: I Still Want Ya EP: 3
1992: United State Of Love EP: 11
1993: Alchemy EP: 7
1993: Guerilla Remix EP: At The Moment Of Impact: 9
1993: Musicians Of The Mind Volume 2: 4
1993: Persuasion EP: 10
1993: Schmoo EP: 1
1994: Recycled EP: 12
1994: Water EP: 8
2003: Pass In Time: The Definitive Collection: 13
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