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)

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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

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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...