Originally written by Ashraf Dumile · 6 August 2008
Though XL may well be just as known for Jack Peñate and Cajun Dance Party as anything else nowadays, a timely reminder of what’s in their rave catacomb is to be served up in the form of a compilation of early ‘90s tunes from their bulging back-catalogue.
Released digitally from tomorrow and featuring contributions from Awesome 3, Kicks Like a Mule and The Prodigy (check out our assessment on the Essex louts), the compilation, entitled XL Recordings: The First Chapters, assembles former glories between 1990 and 1995, picking at choice cuts from the label’s early guise as a dance imprint.
XL Recordings: The First Chapters tracklisting:
SL2 ‘DJ's Take Control’ The Prodigy ‘Charly (Alley Cat Mix)’ Nu-Matic ‘Hard Times (Original Mix)’ Kicks Like a Mule ‘The Bouncer (Housequake Mix)’ SL ‘Way in My Brain (Remix)’ The Prodigy ‘Everybody in the Place (Fairground Remix)’ Liquid ‘Sweet Harmony (Original Mix)’ SL2 ‘On a Ragga Tip (Original 12" Mix)’ Awesome 3 ‘Don't Go (Kicks Like a Mule Mix)’ Dance Conspirac ‘Dub War (Chapter One)’ Jonny L ‘The Ansaphone’