Two Party System

"Another Gecko Production" compilation CD-R, circa 2004, featuring some seriously heavyweight tunes.

Gecko is one of the aliases used by my brother for his mixtapes and CDs in the early 21st Century. He was living in Japan at the time, and we'd continue to swap DIY compilations with each other as a shorthand musical postcard of where we were at.

Spanning South West England to West Coast America and some wild zig zags in between, it's a reminder of how much exciting new music was coming out in the early 2000s. There are also plenty of nods to what had come in the decade before. Listening to the NaS track for the first time in a long while sent a shiver down my spine.

I've tweaked a couple of the versions included here, either because I don't have the album versions or because the remix alternative is so good. In the mid-2000s, I discovered McSleazy aka Grant Robson, who posted a load of bootleg mash-ups and remixes online. I particularly liked his darker take on the likes of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera and today's pick by Kelis. 

Likewise, the version of Dreamy Days by Roots Manuva is a low slung relick by Lotek aka Wayne Bennett that appeared on the Exclusives!, a NME cover-mounted CD in 2001.

Harmonic 33 is one of the many nom de plumes used by Mark Pritchard, after Global Communication and way before he started making music with Thom Yorke. Harmonic 33 is a collaboration with Dave Brinkworth and not to be confused with Harmonic 313, another of Mark's solo ventures. Honestly, you need a sat nav to find your way through his vast body of work...!

Great to hear Definition Of Sound again, who should have been massive beyond the handful of hit singles.  My fact-obsessed brain was fascinated to discover that Pass The Vibes - and second album Experience - was co-produced by Chris Hughes (Adam & The Ants, Tears For Fears) and Jack Hues (Wang Chung). Every day is a learning day!

The mix opens heavy with Massive Attack featuring Mos Def and closes with a Serge Gainsbourg-sampling classic from David Holmes. Not a second wasted from start to finish.

1) I Against I: Massive Attack ft. Mos Def (2002)

2) Where Have They Gone: Harmonic 33 (2002)

3) The Seed (2.0): The Roots ft. Cody ChesnuTT (2002)

4) Trick Me (McSleazy Remix By Grant Robson): Kelis (2004)

5) Dreamy Days (Lotek Bonanza Relick) (Remix By Wayne Bennett): Roots Manuva (2001)

6) What Goes Around (Album Version By Salaam Remi): Nas (2001)

7) Natural Mystic (Ital Mix By Matt Green): Bob Marley (2001)

8) Solid As A Rock (Hexadecimal Edit By Steve Osborne): Bim Sherman (1996)

9) Year 2000: Smith & Mighty ft. Niji 40 & Louise Decordova (1999)

10) Evolution Revolution Love (Album Version): Tricky ft. Ed Kowalczyk & Hawkman (2001)

11) Television, The Drug Of The Nation (Album Version By Jack Dangers & Mark Pistel) (cover of The Beatnigs): The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1992)

12) Pass The Vibes (Album Version): Definition Of Sound (1995)

13) California Love (Long Radio Edit): 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman (1995)

14) Temple Head (Zenana Mix By Aki Nawaz & Paul Tipler): Transglobal Underground (1991)

15) Don't Die Just Yet (Album Version): David Holmes (1997)

1991: Temple Head EP: 14

1992: Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury: 11

1995: California Love EP: 13

1996: Experience: 12

1996: Solid As A Rock EP: 8

1997: Let's Get Killed: 15

1999: Big World Small World: 9

2001: Blowback: 10

2001: NME Exclusives!: 5

2001: Remixed Hits: 7

2001: Stillmatic: 6

2002: Extraordinary People: 2

2002: Phrenology: 3

2002: Special Cases EP: 1

2004: Trick Me (bootleg MP3): 4

Two Party System (1:13:35) (GD) (M)

They Could Have Been Contenders

I'm having a lot of fun compiling the Decadance series and revisiting tunes from the 1990s. 

Making the cut for the final dozen can be a challenge though, and many excellent, or memorable, or both, songs get discarded along the way (and not just Pop Will Eat Itself, I mean).

I've rescued a couple from each year that I've covered so far, not least because most of them were accompanied by hugely enjoyable videos, albeit each for different videos. Step up (or step on) Pet Shop Boys, The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy, R.E.M., Siouxsie & The Banshees, Depeche Mode and Happy Mondays.

There was no video for Her Jazz by Huggy Bear, but they did make an unforgettable appearance on Channel 4's The Word, not least for their post-performance diss of Terry Christian and subsequent removal from the studio. 

Likewise, no pricey promo for Middle Of The Road by Denim. What you get instead is a video filmed specially for ITV's graveyard shift music programme The Beat in 1993. With an intro by presenter Gary Crowley and Lawrence and co. squashed into the back of a stretch limo, of course it's brilliant.

1) I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind Of Thing: Pet Shop Boys (1993)
2) Her Jazz (Live @ The Word): Huggy Bear (1993)

3) Television, The Drug Of The Nation: The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1992)

4) Middle Of The Road: Denim (1992)

5) Losing My Religion: R.E.M. (1991)

6) Kiss Them For Me: Siouxsie & The Banshees (1991)

7) Enjoy The Silence: Depeche Mode (1990)

8) Step On: Happy Mondays (1990)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our United States Of Unconsciousness

I had an appointment with my Hip Hoptician this week and they've prescribed nine rap tabs to be taken in 46 minute doses, twice a day, minimum.

Beats and rhymes from different times, cross-crossing the Atlantic and mixing up Queen Latifah with Antipop Consortium, The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy with Collapsed Lung, Monie Love with Cypress Hill. And a remix of Call It What You Want by Credit To The Nation that leaves the Nirvana sample intact.

Music with a message that makes you move? Yes indeed!

Prescription warning: High diss content. Keep out of reach of children.

 

1) I Know You Got Soul (Breakz Mix): Jason Nevins vs. Eric B. & Rakim (2002)

2) Come Into My House (Richie Rich Dub Vocal Mix): Queen Latifah (1990)

3) Hand On The Pump (Muggs Blunted Mix): Cypress Hill (1992)

4) It's A Shame (My Sister) (Cool As... Mix By John Waddell): Monie Love ft. True Image (1990)

5) Volcano (Lavaflow Mix): Antipop Consortium (2009)

6) Bring Forth The Guillotine (Darksidemix By Ben Chapman): Silver Bullet (1989)

7) London Tonight (Fila Brazillia Mix By Dave McSherry & Steve Cobby): Collapsed Lung (1996)

8) Television, The Drug Of The Nation (Album Version By Jack Dangers & Mark Pistel) (Cover of The Beatnigs): The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1992)

9) Call It What You Want (Remix By MC Fusion & Simon Commonknowledge): Credit To The Nation (1994)

 

Our United States Of Unconsciousness (45:58) (KF) (Mega)

Insanity By One Man Jury

Beats and rhymes for these uncertain times.

 

With apologies for the potty mouth language throughout.

 

1) War: Chuck D vs. Ticc-Tacc ft. Ambersunshower (1998)

2) Appetite For Destruction: N.W.A. (1991)

3) Woman: Little Simz ft. Cleo Sol (2021)

4) Now Is Tomorrow (Shabba Soul Mix By Donwon & Rimsky Korsokov IV): Definition Of Sound (1991)

5) Mankind (Part 2): Jalal (1993)

6) Spectacular (Kaos Remix By Tucker): Fantastic Plastic Machine ft. Verbal & Afra (2003)

7) Sylvie: Mr. Oizo & Phra ft. Frah Quintale (2022)

8) Females (Get On Up) (12" Edit By The Beatmasters): The Cookie Crew (1987)

9) Another Sound Mission (Mystic Handyman Pt 2) (Single Version By Green Gartside, David Gamson & DJ Revolution): Scritti Politti & Likwit Crew ft. Defari & Tash (1999)

10) California Über Alles (Album Version) (Cover of Dead Kennedys): The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1992)

11) Ain't The Devil Happy (Tiny Desk (Home) Concert): Jeru The Damaja (2020)

12) Pink Matter (Remix): Frank Ocean ft. Andre 3000 & Big Boi (2013)

13) Make My: The Roots (2011)
 

Insanity By One Man Jury (56:14)

Concocting A Rhythm That You Could Get Lost In...

Side 1 of a mixtape, recorded 5th September 1993, collecting some choice remixes and club cuts from 1989 to 1992. This is the 2nd appearance on this blog of The Stereo MC's remix of Television, previously featured on a 2003 mix CD and my favourite version of the song. Tracks 3 & 7 are taken from a 1990 2CD compilation, Dancemasters Vol. I: The Twelve Inch Mixes. Pianonegro is built around a sample from Masimba Bele by The Unknown Cases. Family Affair is remixed by Mark Brydon, post-Chakk and pre-Moloko and at the time one half of Fon Force. Sly & The Family Stone's Larry Graham provides lead vocals on the closing track by Fortran 5, Dave Lee sprinkling his customary 70s disco dust to great effect. Along the way, you get: a vocal-free opener from Swedish funk/hip-hop act The Stonefunkers; an early-ish remix by Judge Jules of Tim Hutton, perhaps now better known for his work with Groove Armada's Tom Findlay as Sugardaddy; System 7 collaborating with Derrick May and showcasing the wonderful vocals of Ultra Naté; Merlin and Billie Ray Martin trading off on a standout track from Original Soundtrack, the debut album by S'Express.

1) Can U Follow (TV Track): The Stonefunkers (1991)

2) Television, The Drug Of The Nation (Ultimatum Remix By The Stereo MC's): The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1991)

3) Pianonegro (Honky Tonk Remix By Creative Source aka Tim Bran, Ingmar Kiang & Nick Harris): Pianonegro (1990)

4) The Prophet (Vocal Dub Mix By Judge Jules): Tim Hutton (1992)

5) Altitude (Paradox) (Deep Mix By Steve Hillage & Derrick May): System 7 ft. Ultra Naté (1992)

6) Pimps, Pushers, Prostitutes (Album Version): S'Express ft. Merlin & Billie Ray Martin (1989)

7) Family Affair (Echo Vox Mix By Mark Brydon): Sly & The Family Stone (1990)

8) Look To The Future (Joey Negro's "Future Mind" Mix By Dave Lee & Andrew Livingstone): Fortran 5 ft. Larry Graham & Candy Mckenzie (1992)

Side One (46:25) (Box) (Mega)