Photo: Press
Ravers are getting ready to party like it’s 1995 with the news that Leftfield are set to release Leftism 22 - a special re-issue of their seminal debut album - as well as playing the album in full for the first time on a five-date UK tour to mark the occasion.
Leftism 22 is released on 5 May via Sony CG.
As you’d expect, the new edition has been re-mastered by Leftfield’s Neil Barnes and Paul Daley. It will be available in a limited edition 3xLP vinyl set, digital and 2xCD editions that will feature the original album, as well as all 11 original tracks remixed by a host of artists, including Skream, Adrian Sherwood, BodyJack and Voiski, making 22 tracks in total. Hence the title. And the fact that it comes 22 years after it’s original release.
Alongside dance acts such as Orbital, Underworld and Chemical Brothers, Leftfield were instrumental in taking electronic music from the dance floor and into live settings. Their Leftism tour of 1996 is still spoken of in revered terms as the band increased the sonic envelope of what electronic music was capable as it gave rock music a damn good run for its money.
Speaking of the album, Leftfield’s Neil Barnes, now the sole member, said: "I suppose Leftism was completely different to anything else at the time. We tried to push sonic boundaries and used every inch of the speakers available, and then tried to push it a bit more. It was like pop music sticking two fingers up to pop music at the time and people seemed to take notice."
"Paul and I really worked well together," continues Barnes. "We each respected the other’s opinion. It was all about the music. And now, I've come to enjoy it again. I appreciate that it means a lot to so many people. I'm really honoured and often deeply moved by all the amazing things that people say about the record."
Daley added: "The baton has been passed on four or five generations but I like to think our record gave music and pop culture a little nudge at the time. It was part of a movement and musical revolution that came from a DIY mentality born from the technology available. The album is like part of me that represents my youth and energy of a more innocent and quite different time both socially and musically."
Leftfield’s tour dates are:
MAY 11 Bristol Motion
12 London 02 Academy Brixton
19 Birmingham O2 Institute
20 Manchester O2 Apollo
26 Glasgow Barrowlands
Pre-sale ticket beginfrom 9am Wednesday 22nd February
