Back in '96, I had a semester abroad in Bristol, England. Bristol and it's surrounding area was booming with Big Beat and Trip Hop. The "Bristol Sound" included Portishead, named after the town across the way, Massive Attack, and Tricky. Being young (19) and carefree at the time (I rarely had class, and even less was expected of me as a foreign student), made it extremely easy to see this scene in it's prime. I was frequently being asked by a young french co-ed, named Julie to accompany her to the clubs to partake.
But, I was into this German girl named Annette, and I totally missed it.
I didn't even know what I missed until a few years later. I did, however, start my journey into Big Beat, Trip Hop and Electronica, a year later. I had been receiving CMJ New Music Monthly for a few years at this point, and during my junior year of college, I was getting exposed on a montly basis to yet another band or two of these Electronica genres. Crystal Method, Cold Cut, Death In Vegas, and many more were mixed amongst tracks on their accompanying cd, that came with the monthly music mag.
I started to gather some genre compilations such as the soundtracks to the Jackal and the Saint. As well as, Urbal Beats Vol1 & Plastic Compliation Vol. 1. Urbal Beats is probably the definitive collection for the era containing,
In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for a post on Portishead, Massive Attack mentioned in a Cover Song of the Week, and the Propellerheads profiled in a Band in the Past post.
thanks CMJ, sorry to see you go!
Enjoy!
But, I was into this German girl named Annette, and I totally missed it.
ALL OF IT.
The sounds, the scene, everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I didn't even know what I missed until a few years later. I did, however, start my journey into Big Beat, Trip Hop and Electronica, a year later. I had been receiving CMJ New Music Monthly for a few years at this point, and during my junior year of college, I was getting exposed on a montly basis to yet another band or two of these Electronica genres. Crystal Method, Cold Cut, Death In Vegas, and many more were mixed amongst tracks on their accompanying cd, that came with the monthly music mag.
I started to gather some genre compilations such as the soundtracks to the Jackal and the Saint. As well as, Urbal Beats Vol1 & Plastic Compliation Vol. 1. Urbal Beats is probably the definitive collection for the era containing,
1. The Prodigy - Poison
2. DJ Icey - Big Ditch
3. The Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin Beats
4. Future Sound of London - We Have Explosive
5. Rabbit in the Moon - O.B.E.
5. Rabbit in the Moon - O.B.E.
6. Wink - Higher State of Consciousness
7. Keoki - Caterpillar
8. Underworld - Born Slippery
9. CJ Bolland - Sugar is Sweeter
10. Orbital - The Saint
11. The Orb - Toxygene
12. Goldie - Inner City Life
13. Reprazent - Share The Fall
14. Portishead - Sour Times
15. Everything But The Girl - Before Today
16. Crystal Method - Busy Child
I started to pick up complete albums to experience this more completely, getting Vegas by the Crystal Method, a sonic space experience. 'Dig Your Own Hole by the Chemical Brothers, Chicken Eye by DeeJay Punk Roc, the Rockafeller Skank by Fatboy Slim, and DecksandDrumsandRockandRoll by the Propellerheads. I was hooked. By the time senior year hit, I would even have Electronica only parties at our party home.
Oh, and that Bristol Sound I mentioned above.. I finally got really into it about 5 years too late. But I still love it!
In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for a post on Portishead, Massive Attack mentioned in a Cover Song of the Week, and the Propellerheads profiled in a Band in the Past post.
thanks CMJ, sorry to see you go!
Enjoy!
Would you include the Propellerheads in this group?
ReplyDeleteYes, I would put Propellerheads in the group.. the only debatable stretch that I listed above is DeeJay Punk-roc. THeir 2nd album was more hip hop than big beat, especially the awesome tracks, 'One More Bump' or 'Fat Gold Chain'
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