It's Vini Reilly's 69th birthday in a couple of weeks, so expect more soon.
Happy Friday, everyone!
Friday, 22 July 2022
Thursday, 21 July 2022
Mind Detonator
The tour also celebrates the 25th anniversary reissue of The Fat Of The Land, which has been re-released along with a great new remix of Firestarter by Andy C, the sonic equivalent of chucking petrol on a bonfire. You can view the song on YouTube and buy it on Bandcamp, Juno and other digital outlets.
Today's selection covers singles and albums from 1991 to 2004, starting inevitably with Firestarter, which I've extended for a proper kick-off by splicing the first half of the instrumental with the single edit.
It's Moby next up at the controls, with a remix of Everybody In The Place, followed by a great mash-up of Medusa's Path by The Prodigy and She's A Bitch by Missy Misdemeanor Elliott, which appeared on a bootleg remix companion to fourth album Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned.
Their Law featuring Pop Will Eat Itself was recorded as a reaction to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994, which effectively criminalised music with repetitive beats. Inevitably, this provoked a response from many acts including Autechre, Primal Scream (covering The Clash) and - taking it to it's logical and ridiculous extreme - Orbital. Their Law put it most succinctly ("Fuck 'em and their law") and has remained a sadly relevant song even now, particularly when you consider the hypocrisy of the incumbent government and Crime Minister.
Charly started it all for me, an insane pogo peppered with samples from public address films that I grew up with in the 1970s. I don't think Charly would have been very happy that The Prodigy disregarded his miaowed advice and went on to record Firestarter.
Voodoo People is one of my favourite songs by The Prodigy. There's a great remix by The Chemical Brothers - at the time still The Dust Brothers before legal threats forced a name change - but really the original has it, built around samples from The Last Poets, Nirvana and Johnny Pate's frenetic flute.
The dub of Mindfields appeared as a B-side, heavy on the bass whilst retaining Maxim's vocals to create a rumbling beast. Baby's Got A Temper was relatively disappointing, feeling a bit of a stop gap single echoing Firestarter and Smack My Bitch Up. It's good but it was the right call to leave it off the subsequent album Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned.
For my all-time favourite song by The Prodigy, I'm invariably torn between Out Of Space and Breathe, either of which could would have been a great closing track for this selection. In the end, I opted for Breathe. Coming straight after the success of Firestarter, if anything Breathe upped The Prodigy's game even more and was accompanied by one of the greatest videos ever. For a very, very long time I was certain the guitar sample was from some obscure 1980s goth track so it was a surprise to later discover that it was in fact The James Bond Theme.
On that latter note, then, today's selection is not only a celebration of The Prodigy's return and a tribute to Keith Flint, but also to Monty Norman, legendary composer who also left us on 11th July.
1) Firestarter (Filth Infatuated Extended Intro Re-Edit By Khayem) (2022)
2) Everybody In The Place (Dance Hall Version By Moby) (1992)
3) Medusa's Path (Medusa Bitch Remix By cry.on.my.console) (The Prodigy vs. Missy Misdemeanor Elliott) (2004)
4) Their Law (Album Version By Liam Howlett) (ft. Pop Will Eat Itself) (1994)
5) Charly (Alley Cat Mix By Liam Howlett & Chaz Stevens) (1991)
6) Voodoo People (Original Mix By Liam Howlett & Neil McLellan) (1994)
7) Mindfields (Headrock Dub) (Remix By Liam Howlett & Neil McLellan) (1997)
8) Baby's Got A Temper (Main Mix By Liam Howlett & Ollie Jacobs) (2002)
9) Breathe (Album Version By Liam Howlett) (1996)
Wednesday, 20 July 2022
This Is The Space Age
The B-52's were formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976 by Cindy Wilson (Pisces),
Fred Schneider (Cancer,
Kate Pierson (Taurus), Keith Strickland (Scorpio) and Ricky Wilson (Pisces). They released four brilliant albums between 1979 and 1983 (five if you count the Party Mix! collection) before Ricky's tragic death from AIDS at the age of 32 in 1985.
The B-52's continued as a quartet and there have been four further albums from since then, the last being Funplex in 2008. However, The B-52's have continued to tour and tour and tour ever since. "The Final Ever Tour Of Planet Earth" is on it's final run in the United States, coming to an end in November. Keith Strickland stepped back from touring in 2012, but the remaining trio have carried on, now well into their 70s. Is this really the end?
Who better to answer that question than David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap?
"Well, I don’t really think that the end can be assessed as of itself as being the end
because what does the end feel like?
It’s like saying when you try to extrapolate the end of the universe,
you say, if the universe is indeed infinite, then how — what does that mean?
How far is all the way, and then if it stops,
what’s stopping it and what’s behind what’s stopping it?
So, what’s the end, you know, is my question to you.”
because what does the end feel like?
It’s like saying when you try to extrapolate the end of the universe,
you say, if the universe is indeed infinite, then how — what does that mean?
How far is all the way, and then if it stops,
what’s stopping it and what’s behind what’s stopping it?
So, what’s the end, you know, is my question to you.”
A belated happy birthday to Fred Schneider, who celebrated his 71st year on planet Earth on 1st July.
1) Quiche Lorraine (Album Version) (1980)
2) Moon 83 (1983)
3) Love Shack (Retro Shock Remix By Aaron Scofield & CL McSpadden) (2004)
4) Roam (Radio Mix By Ben Grosse & Matt King) (1989)
5) Lava (Party Mix By Harold Dorsett) (1981)
6) 6060-842 (1979)
7) Summer Of Love (Album Version) (1986)
8) Hot Pants Explosion (Edit By Don Was) (1993)
9) Party Out Of Bounds (Album Version) (1980)
10) Girl From Ipanema Goes To Greenland (Album Version) (1986)
11) Mesopotamia (Remix By Tom Durack) (1990)
1979: The B-52's: 6
1980: Wild Planet: 1, 9
1981: Party Mix!: 5
1983: Whammy!: 2
1986: Bouncing Off The Satellites: 7, 10
1989: Roam EP: 4
1990: Mesopotamia (USA reissue): 11
1993: Hot Pants Explosion EP: 8
2004: Retro Shock Volume 1: 3
Tuesday, 19 July 2022
Trying To Make Sense Of My Life
It was still light at 4.35 this morning and hotter indoors than out. I'm working from home today and already longing for bed and a decent night's sleep.
Monday, 18 July 2022
Shake This Feeling
Stay safe out there!
1) Block Rockin' Beats (The Micronauts Bonus Beats) (1997)
2) Saturate (Album Version) (2007)
3) Believe (New Edit ft. Kele Okereke) (2005)
4) Come With Us (H-Foundation Remix) (2003)
5) Hey Boy Hey Girl (Radio Edit) (1999)
6) The Boxer (Edit ft. Tim Burgess) (2005)
7) In Dust We Trust (Edit) (1995)
8) Out Of Control (Album Version ft. Bernard Sumner & Bobby Gillespie (1999)
9) Leave Home (Album Version) (1995)
10) Let Forever Be (Radio Edit ft. Noel Gallagher) (1999)
Sunday, 17 July 2022
SunDub
1) Yak Dub: Alien Dread (2004)
2) Dub Mentality (Live @ Festimad Festival, Madrid, 2nd May 1998): Asian Dub Foundation (1998)
3) Free South Africa (Dub) (Remix By Lindel Lewis & Mad Professor): Benjamin Zephaniah (1983)
4) Bad Man (Dub By RSD aka Rob Smith): Horace Andy ft. Million Teeth (2013)
5) Ragga Muffin Style (Dub) (Remix By Rob Smith): Jah Stitch (2015)
6) North, East, West, South (Prince Fatty Dub): The Last Poets (2019)
7) Idi Amin Dub: Mad Professor & Prince Fatty (2015)
8) Afghani Dub (Version By Adrian Sherwood): The Mothmen (1981)
9) Kung Fu Battle Ina Brixton (Dub): Prince Fatty (2012)
10) Hip Dub: Vivian Weathers (1978)
11) Ganjaman (Deep Fried Dub Remix): Youth & Gaudi (2020)
1978: Bad Weather: 10
1981: Wild Paarty Sounds: 8
1989: Rasta (bonus tracks): 3
1998: Black White EP: 2
2012: Kung Fu Battle Ina Brixton EP: 9
2013: Broken Beats: 4
2015: Mad Professor Meets Prince Fatty In The Clone Theory: 7
2015: Mixwork In Dub: 5
2017: Conquering Dub (Expanded Edition): 1
2019: Understand What Dub Is: 6
2020: Astronaut Alchemists Remixes: 11
Saturday, 16 July 2022
Peeping Through The Hole In My Soul
Spotted outside Gloucester Cathedral yesterday. The first two kind of have a logical connection, but the third? I mean, I can understand the conspiracy theories about the moon landings, but faking the whole of space? Was someone so incensed that poor Edwin Hubble has been consigned to the dusty basement of history now that there is a brand shiny new space telescope named after NASA Johnny-Come-Lately James Webb? These important questions and answers of the day should at least demand page 7 in the Gloucestershire Echo, surely?
On a completely unrelated note, today's selection is inspired by artists, tracks and themes featured in Dubhed's current Top 10 most popular posts. Where else would you find The Sisters Of Mercy and New Order shacking up with One Dove, David McAlmont and Little Simz?
1) Deadline For My Memories (Album Version): Electribe 101 (1992)
2) Long Train (12" Version): The Sisters Of Mercy (1984)
3) Paris (Cover of Friendly Fires): The Anchoress (2012)
4) Woman (Live @ Later... With Jools Holland): Little Simz (2021)
5) Paradise (Remix By Robert Racic & Nick Mainsbridge): New Order (1987)
6) Breakdown (Secret Knowledge Light Mix By Kris Needs): One Dove (1993)
7) Blind Vision (Album Version By John Luongo): Blancmange (1983)
8) Parade (Cover of Magazine): Dave Formula ft. David McAlmont (2010)
9) Half A World Away (Nicky Campbell Session): R.E.M. (1991)
10) This Woman's Work (Album Version): Kate Bush (1989)
1983: Mange Tout: 7
1984: Walk Away EP: 2
1987: True Faith EP (Australian 12" single): 5
1989: The Sensual World: 10
1993: Breakdown EP: 6
2010: Satellite Sweetheart: 8
2012: Reprise: The Covers Collection: 3
2018: Best Of At The BBC: 9
2021: Woman EP: 4
2022: Electribal Soul (previously unreleased 1992 album): 1
Friday, 15 July 2022
Soul Tight, Alright?
Whereas Side 1 was essentially an edited and re-sequenced selection from the 1998 budget price CD Soul Brother,
Side 2 does the same with 1999 compilation This Is Northern Soul (volume 1, as it later transpired). Both were among many bought for a snip at Woolworths at the tail end of the 20th Century.
This selection packs 17 of the original 24 tracks onto one side of a C90 and contains classics either covered or sampled by the likes of The Clash, David Holmes/The Free Association, Soft Cell and Fatboy Slim, as well as Northern Soul takes on The Rolling Stones and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
If you want to relive the Woolies bargain bin experience, you can pick up both volumes of This Is Northern Soul for a couple of quid on Discogs.
1) The Snake: Al Wilson (1967)
2) Better Use Your Head: Little Anthony & The Imperials (1965)
3) Sliced Tomatoes: Just Brothers (1972)
4) Out On The Floor: Dobie Gray (1966)
5) Time Is Tight: Booker T & The MG's (1969)
6) Blowing My Mind To Pieces: Bob E Relf (1968)
7) 24 Hours A Day: Barbara Pennington (1976)
8) Wrapped, Tied And Tangled: LaVern Baker (1968)
9) What: Judy Street (1965)
10) I've Lost You: Jackie Wilson (1967)
11) Under My Thumb (Cover of The Rolling Stones): Wayne Gibson (1966)
12) Dearly Beloved: Jack Montgomery (1966)
13) Bok To Bach: Father's Angels (1967)
14) Goodbye Nothing To Say: The Javells ft. Nosmo King (1974)
15) Purple Haze (Cover of The Jimi Hendrix Experience): Johnny Jones & The King Casuals (1968)
16) Girl I Need You: The Artistics (1968)
17) Long After Tonight Is All Over: Jimmy Radcliffe (1964)
Side One here
Thursday, 14 July 2022
Tori's Primal Joy
The post then moved on to The Joy's own bonafide classic, Shine, featuring the wonderfully talented and much missed Denise Johnson. Denise also appeared on Primal Scream's epic track Screamadelica, which ironically didn't make it on to the classic album of the same name.
The original post included YouTube links to the featured songs, so I'm revisiting them with today's selection, albeit with a slight twist and tweak.
The selection is topped and tailed by Tori Amos, starting off with a song that I didn't feature last time, Raspberry Swirl, taken from 1998 album From The Choirgirl Hotel. Andy Gray, perhaps best known for replacing Steve Osborne as Paul Oakenfold's production partner in Perfecto and in turn responsible for the theme to reality TV show Big Brother, delivered a clutch of remixes for the single release, including this downtempo version.
The Joy's Shine is up next, not the 27 minute Hyperphoria Mix referenced in last year’s post but the Samadhi Mantra Mix, also remixed by The Joy's core of Ali Fletcher and David Tolan and coming in at a brisker 16 minutes.
From Shine to Screamadelica, but not as you know it. The original Andrew Weatherall production is a sheer joy, digging a groove for nearly 11 minutes. However, I'm saving that one for another time. Here, Mark Vidler aka Go Home Productions adds (his own) guitar to provide a blistering, kick ass version that comes in at a neat 5 minutes. Naturally, Denise Johnson's vocals are more than a match for this different setting, soaring effortlessly above the riffs. This version originally appeared on 2005 online bootleg compilation Screamixadelica.
Last but definitely not least is the remix that (re)started this post, The Dharma Kayã Mix of God by Tori Amos, every bit as good as when I first heard it, nearly three decades ago.
1) Raspberry Swirl (Scarlet Spectrum Feels) (Remix By Andy Gray): Tori Amos (1998)
2) Shine (Samadhi Mantra Mix): The Joy ft. Denise Johnson (1994)
3) Screamadelica (Go Home Productions' Skreamadelikka Mix By Mark Vidler): Primal Scream ft. Denise Johnson (2005)
4) God (The Dharma Kayã Mix By The Joy): Tori Amos (1994)
Wednesday, 13 July 2022
The System Is Unjust Because It's Not Made For Us
Again, this side is heavy on vocal tracks but a truly amazing line up of rappers and singers joining Rob Smith, Ray Mighty and Peter D. Rose. This selection is drawn from their three albums, Bass Is Maternal (1995), Big World Small World (1999) and Life Is... (2002).
There's also bonus cover version of U2's Drowning Man, an album track from 1983. In a 2018 interview, Ray Mighty explained that “War was a favourite album of ours in the studio. Drowning Man had a dub feel about it. It was definitely a dubby bass
line. Not so hot on the band, but I still love that track.” A dub version of Drowning Man eventually appeared on the debut album, but this full vocal version originally appeared on the rather excellent soundtrack to 1994 film Shopping.
I'll return to Rob Smith, who has been an incredibly prolific DJ, remixer, producer and solo artist in the last two decades, in a future post. For now though, revel in the glorious sounds of one of the greatest acts to come out of Bristol. Much love, respect and thanks.
1) 1,2 Mic Check (ft. Kelz & Louise Decordova) (2002)
2) Drowning Man ("Shopping" Album Version) (Vocal Mix ft. Felix) (Cover of U2) (1994)
3) Time (ft. Felix & Marilyn McFarlane) (1995)
4) Closer (1995)
5) No Justice (ft. Rudy Lee) (1999)
6) Year 2000 (ft. Niji 40 & Louise Decordova) (1999)
7) Maybe It's Me (ft. Hazel Jayne) (2002)
8) Believers (ft. Tammy Payne) (1999)
9) I Saw You (ft. Chantelle Champagnie) (2002)
1994: Shopping OST: 2
1995: Bass Is Maternal: 3, 4
1999: Big World Small World: 5, 6, 8
2002: Life Is...: 1, 7, 9
Side Two here
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