Leftfield

Comprised of Paul Daley, formerly of A Man Called Adam and the Brand New Heavies, and the programmer Neil Barnes, Leftfield revolutionised the British dance music scene when they arrived in 1991. The duo had collaborated together previously in the Brand New Heavies as well as in the group the Sandals, however didn't really hit things off until Leftfield. Following a contract dispute with the Rhythm King subsidiary Outer Rhythm, Leftfield were unable to release any new music and ended up producing remixes for the likes of React 2 Rhythm, Ultra Nate, Inner City, and David Bowie. Contractual issued were resolved by 1992 and the pair announced their debut single “Release the Pressure”.

Led by the breakthrough single “Open Up” featuring the Sex Pistols’ John Lyndon, Leftfield released their debut album “Leftism” in 1995. Combing the classic soul music of Chicago and New York with the modern day techno trend the album proved a smash hit, topping the UK Albums Chart. Released on Columbia Records, the full-length was shortlisted for the 1995 Mercury Prize Award, was voted the 34th Greatest British Album Ever by Q magazine readers.

Following the release, Leftfield performed at a number of venues across the world, however have come under scrutiny for having their sound system too loud. Their debut gig in Amsterdam almost resulted in their sound-man being arrested for playing the music at illegal volumes, in Belgium thirty people were given refunds as the music was too high, and at the Brixton Academy, London, the bass and resulting vibrations led to dust and plaster falling from the ceiling onto audience members.

Leftfield’s follow-up full-length arrived in 1999 entitled “Rhythm and Stealth” featuring the likes of Root Manuva, Afrika Bambaataa, and MC Cheshire Cat. Once again topping the UK Albums Chart and earning a Mercury Prize nomination, the album was extolled by the musical press. Noted for its harsher, more heavy hitting sound, the record spawned the singles “Phat Planet”, “Afrika Shox”, and “Dusted”.

In 2010 Leftfield returned to Brixton Academy and saw more dust and plaster fall from the ceiling, after which the duo headlined Creamfields festival in Cheshire, England, RockNess in Scotland, and Electric Picnic in Ireland. Following the show, Barnes announced he is the sole representative of Leftfields with Daley choosing to focus on his DJ and solo work. In March 2015 Leftfield premiered the single “Universal Everything” on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show, the lead single from his third full-length album “Alternative Light Source”.