Until I looked carefully, I thought I had just picked up the CD version of the 12" I already own, but I was only partially right. The 12" and this CD share the following tracks:
These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Perfecto Mix)
These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Perfecto Radio Mix)
These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Young Gods Radio Mix)
But the CD has these two mixes which are not on the 12":
These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Young Gods Club Mix)
These Things Are Worth Fighting For (On-U Sound Mix)
The 12" has this mix which is not on the CD, but is on the These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Justin Robertson Remix) version:
These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Lion Rock Mix II)
Honestly, I hope no one accuses the record industry of taking advantage of those of an anal disposition, because as we can see from above this would be wholly unwarranted.
Anyway, here's the lot, I'll leave it to you to resolve any duplication...
1 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Perfecto Mix)
2 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Perfecto Radio Mix)
3 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Young Gods Radio Mix)
4 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Young Gods Club Mix)
5 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (On-U Sound Mix)
Download
3 November 2009
These Things Are Worth Fighting For
These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Justin Robertson Remix)
I'd already heard the Lion Rock Mix II version of this (it's on the 12" I previously posted) so I was looking forward to the others, to see what magic Mr. Robertson had been able to weave.
Pretty good they are too.Lion Rock Mix IV really chugs along nicely, and the break around 2:10 in the Prankster Mix I really hits the spot.
Probably one for the Gary Clail and/or Justin Robertson completists, but worth a listen nonetheless:
1 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Lion Rock Mix II)
2 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Lion Rock Mix IV)
3 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Prankster Mix I)
4 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Prankster Mix III)
Download
TV USA
Following on from the previous post, only going to post this Sheep On Drugs acquisition, as I discovered I already had versions of both Track X E.P. and Motorbike/Mary Jane (meaning others had already posted).
As it happens, this is the best of the three anyway, being closer in style to Out Come The Freaks from Live At The Brain 2 (in fact if I'm not much mistaken The Flaming Church is a reworking of Out Come The Freaks?). Personally, I didn't get on quite so well with their other releases.
Like the sample on The Flaming Church; makes me smile...
1 TV USA
2 USA
3 Church
4 The Flaming Church
Download
27 October 2009
Oxfordshire Market Town Defies Expectations...
I wouldn't normally look to bore anyone with the minutiae of my life, but today was such a surprise I'm willing to break my self-imposed rule on this.
Picture the scene: a sleepy Oxfordshire market town; I'm there to complete some tedious shopping (personal hygiene products etc.); the weather is unseasonably warm.
On the off-chance, I venture into a well known charity shop. I've been here before, and the audio items on offer have been the normal uninspiring candidates: Westlife, S Club 7, Kylie etc. etc.
On this occasion, however, things are different. At the front of the normally piss-poor collection of CD's is Lionrock's Carnival - I've been looking for this for ages, both on-line and in the real world. Next I discover Tripwire by the same esteemed artists. My pulse quickens (such is the banality of my life).
It becomes clear that someone's collection of early 90's CD singles has somehow ended up here. They are either a music lover who has lost the faith, or whose other half has chosen to punish them for unknown misdemeanours.
No one gives this stuff away, at least not if they are in their right mind. Here's my haul in full:
Gary Clail & On-U Sound System:
Escape
These Things Are Worth Fighting For
These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Justin Robertson Remix)
Leftfield:
The Afro Left E.P.
Lionrock:
Tripwire
Carnival
Pop Will Eat Itself:
Karmadrome
Bulletproof!
Sheep On Drugs:
TV USA
Track X E.P.
Motorbike/Mary Jane
System 7:
Habibi
Once I've burned them, and worked out what's not been posted before (or is available to purchase) I'll share my good fortune.
Charity's never been so good...
5 October 2009
Cheeba E.P.
More choice tunes from Rising High, this time from Project One.
This 12" bought off the back of XL Recordings: The Third Chapter.
Although the Linval Thompson sample on Smokin' is well worn, and dare I say it clichéd now, back then it was fresh.
Ah, takes you back to an age of innocence...
A1 Smokin'
A2 It's Driving Me
B1 Give It All You Got
B2 Live Vibe II
Download
Brutal-8-E (Orange Edition)
Hypnotic St-8
Ah, happy days, with Altern 8 for company.
All sounds a bit samey now.
Didn't back then.
A1 Hypnotic St-8 (Higher St-8 Mix)
A2 DJ Nex's Break
B1 Infiltrate 202 (Joey Beltram Remix)
B2 Armageddon (We H-8 Garage Mix)
Download
The Head E.P. Volume 1
Embarrassingly, I think I bought this as much for the names of the artist and the E.P. than anything else.
Never heard anything before or since by Dub Collective, and would be interested in hearing the other Head E.P.'s, as hearing this again was definitely nostalgic.
Of the four, Bongo Burial's the one that does it for me, like the hypnotic bass line...
A1 Death By Dub
A2 Bongo Burial
B1 Re-Energized
B2 The Light
Download
8 September 2009
Big Mouth/Dirty 12"
Browsing through Moggieboy's old posts reminded me of this one, and although it's probably the best known of messers Emerson, Hyde and Smith's Lemon Interupt incarnation, I think it still stands up pretty well.
Certainly, if you're an Underworld devotee, there's plenty here you'll recognise from their better known alter-egos.
A1 Big Mouth
AA1 Dirty
Download
6 September 2009
Origins Of Dance 12"
Until the dreadful Swamp Thing (when the wheels came off a bit), I think The Grid were pretty solid, and this tune (with Dr. Timothy Leary collaborating), has a nice low-key, chill out room feel to it.
I guess in 1990 you would always get some interest if Dr. Leary was involved...
A1 Origins Of Dance (Electronic Future Mix)
B1 Origins Of Dance (Hi-Tec Pagan Mix)
Download
Electric Guitar 12" (YRTX104)
Three more fine mixes, same logic as below applies...
A1 Electric Guitar (Vibrochamp)
B1 Electric Guitar (Hot Tube)
B2 Electric Guitar (Superwound)
Update
Just noticed (after following the link to Discogs) that you can purcrhase this, so taken down the link.
Electric Guitar 12" (YRT104)
If you like music that chugs, you'll like Fluke.
If you like Fluke, you'll like Electric Guitar.
If you like Electric Guitar, you'll love these mixes.
Fluke at the height of their powers...
A1 Electric Guitar (Humbucker)
B1 Electric Guitar (Sunburst)
B2 Electric Guitar (Headstock)
Update
Just noticed (after following the link to Discogs) that you can purcrhase this, so taken down the link.
26 July 2009
Re-Post Requests...
As per usual, I've been utterly rubbish at regularly posting (normal excuses apply - work, family, indolence, etc.).
Will try to put that right in the next week or two, but as a starter thought I'd re-post the following:
25 April 2009
Sinbad/Quest 12"
All that Gary Clail has put me in the mood for something a bit more dance-centric, so dug out some old 12"'s I've not heard for a long time, this one amongst them. How glad I am that I did - System 7 hit the spot once more.
As far as I am aware neither of these Quest mixes appeared on any of the album releases, at least not first time round (I think that Quest (Moon Mix) appeared on the re-issue of 777).
A cracking trio of tunes, with the final track trumping the other two in terms of length, hypnotic quality and sheer infectiousness. Well done Mr. Thorpe.
A1 Sinbad (7th Voyage Of Sinbad)
A2 Quest (Moon Mix)
B1 Quest (Moody Boys Interpretation)
Download
12 April 2009
Human Nature 12"
What a cracking tune.
From the Emotional Hooligan album, his most consistent product along with End Of The Century Party.
As a bonus, you get to enjoy Bim Sherman's dulcet tones on Rumours.
A1 Human Nature (On The Mix)
B1 Rumours
Download
Who Pays The Piper? 12"
Yet more dance from the Bristolian roofer, although a confusing message as I can't imagine Gary being averse to the odd cheeky one.
Another track from the Dreamstealers album, probably the only other besides These Things Are Worth Fighting For that stands up for itself. Superb music though,
What can those biscuit shaped items on the sleeve be?
A1 Who Pays The Piper? (Perfecto Mix)
B1 Who Pays The Piper? (On-U Sound Mix)
B2 Who Pays The Piper? (Trance Mix)
Download
These Things Are Worth Fighting For 12"
Taken from Clail's Dreamstealers album, this is a pretty good track, with some interesting mixes. The rest of the album was somewhat hit and miss. Actually, it was mainly miss.
By this time, Clail had embraced dance music more than ever before, and the mixes here are evidence of that. Sadly, despite the presence of Justin Robertson on the first track on the B-side, the mix doesn't really do him or Lionrock justice, although it does pick up at about the six minute mark.
However, Clail's agit-pop is always entertaining, and this is no exception. Pick of the bunch for me? The Young Gods Radio Mix. Shame it's so short...
A1 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Perfecto Mix)
A2 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Perfecto Radio Mix)
B1 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Lion Rock Mix II)
B2 These Things Are Worth Fighting For (Young Gods Radio Mix)
Download
5 April 2009
Two Thieves & A Liar
Taken from Clail's End Of The Century Party album, it seems only right to draw to the attention of those not familiar with his body of work this absolute gem.
I wouldn't normally consider posting a single track, concentrating as I do on posting complete vinyl that I own, but given the current economic situation, the samples on this track are just too apt. I would love to know where they come from - I've read various theories, including that the voice is that of some East End gangster talking on a documentary about Canary Wharf. If anyone knows for sure, please share your knowledge with the world...
Whoever it is, they should be congratulated on their foresight - wise words indeed. So wise, in fact, that I will quote them here verbatim (the numbers shown are the timings in the track of the two soliloquies). Emphasis (in bold) added by myself.
00:12 - 00:31 "I've had a few dealings in the City, met a number of stockbrokers, and I can tell you in all my life I've never seen such dishonesty and greed. It's like a big betting shop, a bookies, a casino, where they're all screwing each other and the rest of the world."
02:45 - 03:40 "When the Jewish and Italian communities went to America, right, they landed in a new country that was ripe for organisation and for rackets. Now in this country, that's not possible, because the big power, the real money, the real rackets, have been going over here for hundreds of years; they're all stitched up, been passed on from generation to generation; and the American gangsters, right, they're still struggling to get the respectability that they're after; but we've had three centuries head start on those buggers, and look haven't we done a beautiful job of it an' all. I'll bet you, there are millions of people, right, who think that the blokes who work here in the City are really good blokes, hard working, who've got the economy of this nation deep in their heart. What a load of cobblers. It's the best confidence trick in history."
Enjoy.
Download
4 April 2009
The Emotional Hooligan (Promo) 12"
Simply a great track, off a great album.
As a Dub Syndicate stalwart, I view this is the very lovable red-headed step-child of a collaboration; the album reverberates with Style and co.'s quality. Melded with Clail's left-leaning Bristolian-accented lyrics, still makes me smile 16 years later.
This 12", which teems with surreal dog bark samples, is irresistible. I defy anyone not to find their lower limbs at least twitching to this:
A1. The Emotional Hooligan
B1. Crocodile Eyes
B2. The Emotional Hooligan (Dub Wize Mix)
Download
3 April 2009
On-U Sound...
Along with the subjects of earlier posts, there has been a common thread running through my musical life, that being the On-U Sound label/collective/sound system.
Much has been written of the genius of Senor Sherwood, and I doubt that I can add to the more erudite musings of others, so I won't try.
What I will do, however, is post some of what I hope is the finer output of said label/collective/sound system. I am sure I will also post some slightly more questionable On-U Sound productions, for the sake of completeness...
There are a number of things of which I am certain:
1. Not all of it will be to everyone's liking.
2. All of what I will post is to my liking.
Will begin with a series of Gary Clail-centric posts, not least because he is the closest Adrian and co. had to a cross-over act...
