Liam Prodigy: Back to Mine (Various Artists)
Prodigy main man makes a welcome return behind the decks mixing Public Enemy with Dolly Parton and pulling it off...just.
From the most eclectic compilation series around comes one of the most eclectic compilations to date. Liam Howlett, or Liam Prodigy (as in Liam is the Prodigy), is up there with Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn as writing the soundtrack to the nineties. Think 'Out of Space', think 'Poison', think 'Firestarter': remember where you were when you first heard those songs.
It was the strength of those classics that led to a disappointing response from 2005's 'Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned'. It was almost as if last October's greatest hits album 'Their Law: The Singles’ was released to make up for that disappointment. A new studio album is promised for late 2006 but in the meantime we are given another compilation, following 1999's 'Dirtchamber Sessions', to enjoy.
So, what is a party back at Liam's like? Well it ain't no chill-out to begin with. The album kicks off by launching into 'Wake the Fuck Up', a Prodigy, intro song if you've heard one. Then we are given a hint of the after-party's narcotics menu with Queens of the Stone Age drug anthem 'Feel Good Hit of the Summer'.
Just when you're thinking that this album isn't going to contain much substance, then he drops in Public Enemy's 'Welcome To The Terrodome'. Chuck-D's angry-yet-fluid rhymes give an insight into Liam's music attitudes: "When I get mad I put it down on a pad, give you something that you never had". 'I'm 5 Years Ahead Of My Time' provides further insight into Mr Howlett's undeniable self-confidence.
The middle of the album is a typical mash-up in the style of 'Dirtchamber Sessions', with everything from punk rock (Vatican DC) to country (Dolly Parton) and reggae (Max Romeo). 'I Chase The Devil' is one for the anoraks as it contains the sample for 'Out Of Space'.
The party gets back into full swing with acid house and hip-hop classics from Airport '89 and Norega respectively. 'Nothing' provides the climax of the album, as the compilation peters out slightly with the late seventies/early-80's rock of The Jam et all.
But the point of 'Back To Mine' is that unlike other compilations, the tracks are chosen by the artists solely as a reflection of their musical tastes and not to sell units. This may seem a little self-indulgent but it does provide an enjoyable insight into the tastes of the man behind some of the great singles of the last decade.
7/10
1 comment:
I'm liking the fact that you have started of by providing the reader with a brief description of who Liam is and what he does.
Also I'm liking that you've gone into brief detail about some of the song choices that he has choosen for this compilation, as well as including some sample song lyrics etc to get across what you interpret as his reason for including the tracks.
Good stuff sums up the whole package well, and also the reason behind this release.
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