This is an interesting British techno group from the 1990’s. Dubnobasswithmyheadman (first album, 1994) makes me want to step into my time machine and visit the London clubs around that time. Most of the club stuff from that era hasn’t worn well ― listening to the average Chris Sheppard compilation can be pretty painful. But Karl Hyde (vocals), Rick Smith and Darren Emerson made a creative mélange of techno-house-dub-funk that can still be played without embarrassment. The vocals actually fit in to the mix, rather than simply being a kind of hallelujah chorus thrown in so you can remember which set you’re listening to. But the strongest element is its progression, the necessary build-up of emotion, in this case starting with harsh cynicism (“Dark and Long”) through contemplative (“Mmmm Skyscraper I Love You”), recharging (“Spoonman”) and climax (“Cowgirl”). This must have made for one of those deliriously satisfying dance floor experiences that the club scene was all about. I have a different mix of “Dark and Long” labeled “Dark Train Mix” on the entertaining compilation UK Tribal Gathering ’95.
The second album, Second Toughest In the Infants (1996) shifts to what came to be called “Progressive House”, influenced by the multi-layered art-rock of the seventies, but retaining the danceable techno beat. There are audible hints of Yes and Genesis. As in the first album, many of the songs are dark and moody. The re-release of this album includes a bonus track of “Born Slippy .NUXX”, which had widespread exposure through the film Trainspotting. I also have “2 Months Off [King Unique Sunspots Vocal Mix]” and “King Of Snake [Fatboy Slim Remix]” on two different Sheppard collections. These songs appear on later albums, which I’ve never heard.
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