Underworld
They were originally called 'Freur', consisting of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith. Recruiting DJ Darren Emerson, they became Underworld. With three excellent albums ('Dubnobasswithmyheadman', 'Second Toughest in the Infants' and 'Beacoup Fish') and a host of singles including 'Cowgirl', 'Rez' and 'Born Slippy', Underworld could do no wrong. In 2000 Darren Emerson announced that he was leaving Underworld to concentrate on his DJing and other projects. Two years later the surviving duo released Underworld's fourth studio album 'A Hundred Days Off'.
CDS: Spikee/Dogman Go Woof
[JBO17CDS]
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Released 1993 on Junior Boys Own. Two great tracks on this single. Spikee is the best track by far, featuring Karl Hydes vocals which have become a trademark of Underworld.
The opening bars are very techno like, but it rapidly accelerates into a thumping, chugging little number. Karls' spaced out Cowgirl'esque vocals and the wicked guitar riff towards the end of the track complete what I consider to be a highly under-rated track.....great stuff!
I'm not overly keen on the second track, Dogman go woof, but its growing on me slowly.
CD: Dubnobasswithmyheadman
[JBOCD1]
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Released 1993 on Junior Boys Own. 'Dubnobasswithmyheadman' was the debut album from Underworld. Undoubtedly the highlight of their career, this early 90's techno crossover album set the pace for things to come.
CDS: Dark and Long
[JBO19CDS] | Track Listing:
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Released 1994 on Junior Boys Own. Dark and Long is the first single to be released from
Underworlds debut album 'dubnobasswithmyheadman'. The single doesn't feature the original full-length mix, with the rather unsubtle 'Hall's Edit' taking its place. All the features of the original version are here, with Karls gentle vocals flowing over a very laid back melody...all very pleasant. Next up is the longer 'dark train' remix, much faster than original and somewhat darker. This version was used in the film 'Trainspotting', and can be found on the re-released version of Born Slippy. This flows into the very ambient 'most `ospitable' remix, which sounds nothing like the original. Finally, we have the mammoth mix '215 miles', which, like the 'dark train' remix, is more dance orientated.
CDS: Dirty Epic / Cowgirl EP
[TVT8722-2]
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Released 1994 on TVT Records. Licensed from Wax Trax! Records (USA). If you see this E.P in the shops then buy it - this is true value for money. It contains all of the Dirty Epic mixes (Dirty Guitar mix, Dirty mix and the album version), all of the Cowgirl mixes (Irish pub in Kyoto mix, Winjer mix and the album version), the amazingly, transtasic, hypnotic Rez and to polish it all of, one of Underworlds more gentle tracks, River of Bass (from the album 'Dubwithno...'). If you've got 'Dubnobasswithmyheadman' then you will be familiar with Dirty Epic. However, this album version is nothing compared to the Dirty Guitar mix which combines Cowgirl like vocals with a wicked guitar riff. Unfortunately (?), the original album version of Cowgirl is the best mix here; its a classic case of 'if its not broke, then don't mend it....'. The 'Irish pub..' mix is very ambient and pleasant, whilst the 'Winjer' mix sounds nothing like the original Cowgirl and doesn't do much for me. Do I need to mention Rez??? Probably one of my all-time faves; long repeating loops that build up and up - yeah, a true anthem this one.
CDS: Born Slippy
[JBO44CDS1 / JBO44CDS2]
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Released 7/96 on Junior Boys Own. Underworld have excelled again. When originally released in the summer '95 (CD/12": both featured a ride-on lawnmower on the cover), it just didn't take off (WHY???). But, since the .NUXX version of the track featured in the excellent film 'Trainspotting', Born Slippy has been played by DJ's globally in clubland and on the airwaves.
Spread across 2 x CDS we get on disc2 the short 5 minute edit of Born Slippy.NUXX, Dark and Long (dark train mix) which is the track from the cold turkey scene in 'Trainspotting' and an Alex Reece mix of Banstyle (not sure about this track!). The edit of Born Slippy is virtually identical to the first five minutes of the full length version of
this track, and is faded out quite badly. The 'Dark and long' track, as the title suggests, is quite dark, but really gets the adrenaline pumping. Banstyle is pretty naff- sorry Alex! The only thing that's worth getting this 2nd disc for is the Dark and Long track.
However, its the 1st disc that's really worth getting, featuring the full 11 minute mix of Born Slippy.NUXX, a 'Deep Pan' remix and two remixes courtesy of Darren Price. Born Slippy.NUXX needs no explaining, its beyond amazing....piano chords echo and the vocals slide in, chanting the lager anthem, then this track really grabs you by the bollocks when the solid beat kicks in...."Shouting Lager, Lager, Lager"....a great tune....*grins*....(It hit the No.2 spot in the U.K charts at the beginning of July '96). The 'Deep Pan' mix, assumingly by Underworld, takes a while to get going, has no vocals and is 10 minutes of basically quite a plain track. Darren
Prices' mix is a bit more interesting, with a slowed down intro, over which flow the vocals 'Let your feelings slip boy..' which is all quite dreamy, into which kicks a breakbeat - this is probably the best remix of Born Slippy. The second remix is nothing special, no vocals and it just plods along. I'm probably being a little hard on the tracks that I've slated, but its difficult comparing any remix to the excellent .NUXX version of Born Slippy. It's going to
be tough to beat this one! Strangely, neither of the discs contain the original version of Born Slippy, which was first released last year('95). Not to complain though, as this version just doesn't compare to the .NUXX mix. BUT.....on the new release of Pear's Girl what do we find as an added bonus???....yeah...the original instrumental version of Born Slippy!!!
CDS: Born Slippy
[TVT 8745-2]
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Released 1996 on TVT Records. This is basically the combination of the two UK maxi singles. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
CD: Second Toughest in the Infants
[JBO1002002]
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Released 1996 on Junior Boys Own.
CDS: Pearl's Girl
[JB0 45 CDS1 / JB0 45 CDS2]  |
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Released 1996 on Junior Boys Own.
CD: Beaucoup Fish
[JBO1005438]
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Released 1998 on Junior Boys Own. 'Beaucoup Fish' is Underworld's third studio album.
CDS/12": Cowgirl
[JBO501513 / JBO501518 / JBO 5012516] |
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Released 8/00 on Junior Boys Own. Following the news that Darren Emerson is leaving Underworld to concentrate on his DJing and other projects, Underworld unleash the new remixes of Cowgirl from Bedrock (John Digweed and Nick Muir) and Futureshock. These are progressive style mixes that differ considerably from the classic released back in 1994 and they aren't really my cup of tea. However, its the Rez/Cowgirl track thats off more interest here, which is a live version of the two tracks blended together. As soon as the first note of Rez chimes the crowd release an almighty cheer - this undoubtedly Underworlds finest track and an anthem that they'll never surpass. Taken from the forthcoming live album 'Everything Everything'. Both CD's also feature video's taken from the forthcoming DVD 'Everything Everything'.
CDS: Underworld - Cowgirl
[JBO5014823]
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Released 2000 on Junior Boys Own. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
CD: A Hundred Days Off
[JBO1020102]
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Released 9/02 on Junior Boys Own. This is Underworlds fourth album and the first without Darren Emerson. Against all odds, Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have managed to recapture the essence of Underworld, with 'A Hundred Days Off' being more upbeat and positive than their previous studio album.
CDS: Born Slippy Nuxx 2003
[JBO5024703]
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Released 10/03 on Junior Boys Own. These new remixes of 'Born Slippy' have been released to coincide with the new Underworld compilation '1992 - 2002'.
CD: Underworld : 1992 - 2002
[JBO1024698] |
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Released 11/03 on Junior Boys Own. Underworld were undoubtedly one of the most influential dance groups of the 90's, hence its fitting that a decade on from their first single release they have released this limited edition 2 disc compilation. It can't be an easy task to compile such an anthology, although somehow they have managed successfully to capture all the key moments from Underworlds impressive back catalogue. Whilst there is nothing new on offer here, '1992 - 2002' is a worthy addition to the collection.
For further information on Underworld see these official web sites:
or contact:
Email: underworld@euroworld.co.uk
