"Leftism" by Leftfield (no web site), Columbia/Hard Hands

This is a retrospective view at an album that signalled a change (though not neccesarily caused one). Look for others...

This album is a rise and low of textures and melodies. Some songs are high energy and intriguing, while others are virtual clones of previous sounds. No ground is broken here, but through production and songwriting they take us to the next level in pop house.

Beginning with the ethnic "Release The Pressure" the album stakes a claim at being a smart, melodic journey through deep house. It is a superb opening that brings chills just to think of what follows.

Unfortunately, what follows is very mediocre music. Not until "Original", four tracks later, does the potential brilliance of this band shine through. "Melt" is an attempt at ambient while "Song Of Life" is a little light playful house. Nothing to cause you to turn off the stereo here, but also nothing to cause you to crank the volume.

Finally, things get moving. With "Original", Toni Halliday's gorgeous lyricism and vocals seems to inspire the music to keep up. The song goes through elements of trance, goa trance, little bits of jungle, and some acid house before it finally settles on pure house. The song takes it time to feel the crowd and setup some touching vocalization by Halliday. It has a slight hook in it, enough to make it catchy and slightly eerie.

The rest of the album launches from that track. "Black Flute" is some floorable trance just begging to be mixed into a set. "Space Shanty" sounds like an 808 state ripoff but still works as typical acid house.

"Inspection (Check One)" is a rollin' groovefest, and also a complete imitation of the Chem. Bros. Whether this is a track paying homage to them or just a rip off who knows. They succeed in rollin' a beat with trance slides and ethnic samples. But I was never a big CB fan to begin with, so this song can be forgotten.

"Storm 3000" is a fantastic song. It's a long piece with about four semi-distinct movements. The song is always moving forward and is crafted excellently. Nothing ever seriously repeats here so you are always enjoying the sound as it fuses gently from one movement to another. It is superb songwriting and fantastic to mellow or dance to.

Normally, it would be difficult to top such a piece. But the cult-classic "Open Up" emerges at track ten. John Lydon (Rotten) used this song to jump start his latest (and excellent) solo album. It's a high NRG dance track with a perfectly sampled 1/2 second guitar loop behind heavy trance with some jazz thrown in.

Lydon is as punk as he was in the 70's with the Sex Pistols. His unique vibretto resounds over the beats and takes command. The song seems to follow him and is just pure magic. It is a joy to crank.

Overall, it is a well thought out album. It is carefully crafted to give a little to everyone and doesn't aspire to be better than it is.