Tune #78: Leftfield - Space Shanty

Leftism is a landmark album by Leftfield that defined the electronic scene of the 90's. Released (for the first time) in 1995, it was the apotheosis of old school progressive house, which was already blooming in UK. Leftfield was originally a project created by Neil Barnes in 1990 with the production of Not Forgotten, which is claimed to be the first progressive house track ever*. One year later, Neil teamed up with percussionist Paul Daley, who remixed Not Forgotten in its most popular form: the Hard Hands version! Both versions of the track were released by short-lived Outer Rhythm records, which ceased to exist in 1992.

The closing of Outer Rhythm led the duo to form their own label, which shared the same name with the Hard Hands remix. The label acted as a beacon to promote the dubby-house sound with deep basslines and tribal rhythms. Leftfield was still the central point of Hard Hands, followed by new artists.

In 1999, the second album Rhythm And Stealth was released by Hard Hands: dub elements & fat basslines were still dominant here, but in a dirtier and darker manner. Although it is also a great album, it never reached the status of Leftism for most listeners.

It was certain that the presence of Leftfield would be everywhere in the 90's. The seminal Renaissance: The Mix Collection featured 3 different versions of track Song Of Life, one after the other. Their music was also included in the original music scores of Gen-X films (Hackers, Trainspotting, The Beach). Neil Barnes and Paul Daley are also responsible for one of the most influential Essential Mixes (1994), as featured in Pete Tong's weekly radio show.

Leftfield stopped as a duo in 2002, when the two guys decided to pursue different paths. The project was revived in 2010 by Barnes for a live tour, in order to relive the great times of the past. In 2015, the third album Alternative Light Source saw the light of day, having an extremely different style in comparison with the classic "Leftfield sound" (Mr. Barnes should have chosen a different alias for ALS).

Twenty-two years after its initial release, Leftism is back again in a new remastered version and with new remixes! It is time to remember some of the finest moments of the original album:
- the acid prog monsters Song Of Life & Space Shanty
- the African tribal feeling of Afro-Left
- the collaboration with John Lydon of Sex Pistols in Open Up
- the dub breakbeat of Inspection (Check One)

LEFTFIELD - SPACE SHANTY


For some funny reason, this track reminds me of Dhalsim's theme in the innovative Street Fighter II (also a landmark in video gaming history!!!).


* The same claim exists for Andrew Weatherall's remix on Sly And Lovechild - The World According To Sly & Lovechild. According to Neil Barnes, Andrew Weatherall's early sets had a large influence on him and helped shaping the basic elements of progressive house.