Leftfield (Band)

[CaledonianGonzo]

For me, Leftism's the one of the big nineties dance records that's aged the best. Way more so than the likes of Underworld.

[stuartbert two hats]

I don't really disagree, and yet...I gave it a spin a few weeks ago, first time in ages, and it hadn't aged as well as some things do, and sounded a bit too much of its time.

I kinda know what you mean, I put it on after posting that comment, but I was working at the time, so not really concentrating. I still think Song Of Life is a sublime banger, just stick it on headphones and go for a run.

[Mardy]

Dubnobass still sounds great to me. I listen to leftism and all I can hear is the first stirrings of big beat. Enough to make me shudder. That said, regardless of the rest, 'open up' is still a monster fucking tune

[chestwig]

Would have to be others stage.... No other stage has such a large direct bass!

[Babylon sister]

Omg this is great news, leftism is one of my top ten albums, very happy memories attached to it. Leftfield will definitely make my list of 2 must sees each day if they're at glasto. Otherwise it's the barrowlands for me. I'm all excited now, think I'll have some gin xx

[eFestivals]

For me, Leftism's the one of the big nineties dance records that's aged the best. Way more so than the likes of Underworld.

I disagree. Beaucoup Fish still sounds fresh, for example, and the live album 'Everything Everything' still sounds fab (tho perhaps I'm a bit family-biased with that one).

[CaledonianGonzo]

Fair enough - I've not revisited Beaucoup Fish in any number of years. Dubnobass and Second Toughest were uppermost in my mind. I mean, the former in particular is obviously a great album, I just think that Leftism inches it a bit. It feels a bit more...not diverse. Pluralistic, maybe.

[Barefooted_raver]

It will be interesting to see how well 'Alternative Light Source' will be received, especially in contrast to Prodigy's new album (interesting to see that they both have Sleaford Mods appearances on the albums). I am not feeling Prodigy's new stuff at all, and I know that they are not really comparable bands.... but that new Universal Everything track is outstanding by Leftfield-. After about 40 odd seconds it really sounds like a Jon Hopkins track- amazing production on the track.

[Space Shanty]

I disagree. Beaucoup Fish still sounds fresh, for example, and the live album 'Everything Everything' still sounds fab (tho perhaps I'm a bit family-biased with that one).

Everything Everything is a sensational live album, I love it, but then Tourism is a pretty stonking live album too, albeit missing a bit of the raw impact of Leftfield live back in the 90s up to 2000 when they were renowned for breaking sound systems.

I really like Beaucoup Fish, possibly even more now than after my first ever listen, but Dubnobass is still Underworld's finest I think.

It's majestic.

I hope they're doing the Dubnobass show when headlining Electric Picnic, and I hope Leftfield now join them on the bill.

Seeing both in one weekend would be special

[stuartbert two hats]

It will be interesting to see how well 'Alternative Light Source' will be received, especially in contrast to Prodigy's new album (interesting to see that they both have Sleaford Mods appearances on the albums). I am not feeling Prodigy's new stuff at all, and I know that they are not really comparable bands.... but that new Universal Everything track is outstanding by Leftfield-. After about 40 odd seconds it really sounds like a Jon Hopkins track- amazing production on the track.

You're right, it does sound a lot like Immunity.

[Space Shanty]

It will be interesting to see how well 'Alternative Light Source' will be received, especially in contrast to Prodigy's new album (interesting to see that they both have Sleaford Mods appearances on the albums). I am not feeling Prodigy's new stuff at all, and I know that they are not really comparable bands.... but that new Universal Everything track is outstanding by Leftfield-. After about 40 odd seconds it really sounds like a Jon Hopkins track- amazing production on the track.

I think the difference is that Leftfield's album will be aimed at a more discerning fan of electronic music and beats, whereas Prodigy's stuff is these days aimed at youngsters... clueless youngsters in most cases

[geoffboycott]

Incredibly excited about this news, after preordering the vinyl, my 2nd thought was 'could Leftfield be at Glastonbury this year?!'. It would surely have to be West Holts if so, but with a beefier sound system. Despite its size and sound rig, I'm yet to be convinced of the atmosphere of Other when hosting dance music - I recognise I'm probably in the minority here.

I've been fortunate enough to see them live 3 times now, absolutely superb every time. For me, they're the finest electronic music band, over and above the usually cited examples of Orbital, Chems, Underworld, Massive Attack etc. Leftism is probably my no1 LP of all time across all genres.

[Space Shanty]

Incredibly excited about this news, after preordering the vinyl, my 2nd thought was 'could Leftfield be at Glastonbury this year?!'. It would surely have to be West Holts if so, but with a beefier sound system. Despite its size and sound rig, I'm yet to be convinced of the atmosphere of Other when hosting dance music - I recognise I'm probably in the minority here.

I've been fortunate enough to see them live 3 times now, absolutely superb every time. For me, they're the finest electronic music band, over and above the usually cited examples of Orbital, Chems, Underworld, Massive Attack etc. Leftism is probably my no1 LP of all time across all genres.

Those 5 bands you've mentioned do represent a serious high standard.

The one thing I would say is that I have seen the Chems a few times and not been impressed whereas with the rest it's nearly always amazing (bar Orbital's comeback in 2011 which was lacklustre... but they more than made up for it in 2013).

Given Leftfield's tour dates I'll be properly gutted if they don't appear at Glasto

[CaledonianGonzo]

Dig Your Own Hole still holds up well, but the issue with the Chemical Brothers is the swathes of mediocre material that they've generated. When they're good they're good, but they're often not.

[Homer]

Everything Everything is the absolute tits. I'm surprised my DVD hasn't been chewed up I've watched it so much.

[fatyeti24]

The thing about Leftism that stands out for me twenty years on is how fast it is. If it was made today it's be 10bpm slower, at least, I reckon.

[eFestivals]

Everything Everything is the absolute tits. I'm surprised my DVD hasn't been chewed up I've watched it so much.

I'll pass on to my bruv-in-law that you're loving his work.

[Space Shanty]

I'll pass on to my bruv-in-law that you're loving his work.

Karl or Rick?

[Space Shanty]

Everything Everything is the absolute tits. I'm surprised my DVD hasn't been chewed up I've watched it so much.

I think part of that Everything Everything album is taken from Homelands Ireland in 1999, and some from Fuji Rocks in Japan.

That Homelands Ireland headline gig was just about the most amazing two hours of my life to that point.

Fuck I've never seen an atmosphere in a tent like it... delirium

[eFestivals]

Karl or Rick?

just about 'the 4th member' in that piece of work, who's given equal credit to K, R & D.

[eFestivals]

I think part of that Everything Everything album is taken from Homelands Ireland in 1999, and some from Fuji Rocks in Japan.

I'm pretty sure that nearly all of the footage was from a show in Holland, where the guy who filmed that show was meant to deliver all ofr the shot footage to Tomato but instead edited it first .... which then caused a bit of panic, and efforts to get other footage to use within it, which I know definitely includes Glasto and, I think, some footage from Pinkpop. I don't remember being told of Homelands Ireland footgae or Fuji Rocks footage being used, but it might have been.

[Space Shanty]

I'm pretty sure that nearly all of the footage was from a show in Holland, where the guy who filmed that show was meant to deliver all ofr the shot footage to Tomato but instead edited it first .... which then caused a bit of panic, and efforts to get other footage to use within it, which I know definitely includes Glasto and, I think, some footage from Pinkpop. I don't remember being told of Homelands Ireland footgae or Fuji Rocks footage being used, but it might have been.

Ah my mistake maybe.

I thought it said something about Fuji Rocks on the back of the DVD, but the Homelands thing could be wrong.

Either way, the main point remains... that Homelands gig was just ridiculous!

Underworld + big tent + the right crowd = Awesome

[EIaine]

I hope they're doing the Dubnobass show when headlining Electric Picnic, and I hope Leftfield now join them on the bill.

Seeing both in one weekend would be special

The wording of their tour schedule suggests it's only dubnobass in venues, not festivals. Hopefully their festival set will be dubnobass heavy anyway.

I've now got my hopes up that Leftfield might appear at EP too. I know it would never happen but I'd love to see acts like Leftfield or Underworld in a tent rather than an outdoor stage.

[eFestivals]

Ah my mistake maybe.

I thought it said something about Fuji Rocks on the back of the DVD, but the Homelands thing could be wrong.

I've just hooked the DVD off my shelf.

On the back it says "from Glastonbury to Fuji Rock, Brussels to Chicago ... captures the energy of Underworld's 1998/99 world tour".

Inside it says "filmed and recorded on location in: Japan, Holland, Belgium, England, Ireland".

Inside it also says "filmed by: Smash TV Japan, NPS TV/VPRO/Vara Holland, PSL Belgium, BBC England, Windmill Lane PIctures Ireland (Konor O'Mahony)".

So it could have some Homelands Ireland footage in there.

I know that a show in Holland was originally meant to be the only show footage that was used, that was filmed especially for Underworld. As I explained above, issues meant they had to find other footage to use with it (including bits of their live projections dubbed onto some of the footage), and I don't know if that show in Holland is the major part of the footage they've used or not (I suspect it is, tho).

Are you aware of the Underworld song '8 Ball' that's used on the film soundtrack for 'The Beach'? That's a song that was written around the production of the Everything Everything DVD (I know that 'man', too. I've even drunk from the hip flask )

[ericlered]

just about 'the 4th member' in that piece of work, who's given equal credit to K, R & D.

Any idea if they will return to Glasto any time soon Neil? Without researching it feels like an awfully long time since they have graced the farm.