As with many of their contemporaries such as The Chemical Brothers and Underworld, Leftfield pioneered the use of guest vocalists throughout their career. Among the more prominent were Toni Halliday (of Curve), who sang on "Original", Djum Djum on "Afro-Left" and Earl 16 and Cheshire Cat on "Release the Pressure".
Neil Barnes' entry into the music world was as a DJ at The Wag Club while simultaneously playing percussion instruments. Around 1989, inspired by Afrika Bambaata, Barnes decided to try his hand at electronic music production. In 1990, he released the single "Not Forgotten" on the Rhythm King label. It was followed by "More Than I Know" in 1991.
For the remixes of these tracks, Barnes called upon Paul Daley, then a hairdresser, but also in A Man Called Adam and a formerly a session musician for the Brand New Heavies and Primal Scream, appearing on their Dixie Narco EP. Barnes and Daley had previously worked together as percussionists at The Sandals' first club, Violets. As their mutual interest in electronic music became clear the pair decided that they would work instead upon Leftfield, once Barnes had extricated himself from his now troublesome contract with Rhythm King.
Leftfield's first major career break came in 1993 with the single "Open Up", a collaboration with John Lydon. That single was soon followed by their debut album, Leftism in 1995. On this album, Leftfield blended styles like dub, breakbeat, and techno. Five singles supported the album: "Release the Pressure" (featuring Earl 16 and Chesire Cat), "Song of Life", "Open Up" (featuring John Lydon), "Original" (featuring Toni Halliday) and "Afro-Left" (featuring Djum Djum).
Leftism was shortlisted for the 1995 Mercury Music Prize but lost out to Portishead's Dummy. In a 1998 Q magazine poll, readers voted it the eightieth greatest album of all time, while in 2000 Q placed it at number 34 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. The album was re-released in 2000 with a bonus disc of remixes.
In 1996, the song "A Final Hit" featured on the Trainspotting soundtrack.
Their second and final album, Rhythm and Stealth was released in 1999 and it reached #1 in the UK Albums Chart. The album maintained a similar style, and featured Roots Manuva, Afrika Bambaataa, and MC Cheshire Cat from Birmingham.
Rhythm and Stealth was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 2000 but lost out to Badly Drawn Boy's The Hour of Bewilderbeast. Three singles were issued: "Afrika Shox", "Dusted" and "Swords". The song "Phat Planet" featured on Guinness' 1999 advert, Surfer.
In 2002 the band split. In 2005, they issued the greatest hits compilation A Final Hit. In 2010, Leftfield reunited and played a string of shows. However, Leftfield is now represented by Barnes alone with a backing band and singers, as Daley is concentrating on his DJ work, as well as releasing a solo album.
Official site: http://www.leftfieldtour.co.uk
- Dusted
Leftfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There will be no blows not freestyle
This style is not free
This style is expensive, alright
Old type jokes
Love me self I possessed
More like to death
Yigga yaw
My level is seldom seen
Few and far between
Dem folks they couldn't douse my cane
Learn to the mean
For brad pick 'e had
Slapped in the face
Strapped down
I get sunset to sunset
With no sweat yet
Cooin' our fret
By the doves them hold me
I'm picky with precision
I've made my decision then
Death itself can't hold us down
But the seeds of progress them done get sow My talk back
Broke the cane in four
Face flat to the floor
But then from the stress
To commence with a brand new sense o' sell You old Zulu
Comin' to
Tokyo train stop
Hipper to the crew
Down right crim and we dusted
Guitar
Down right crim and we dusted
Guitar
Tougher than my cuts
And my baby like flex
But I won't waste my breath
I let action speak
Though this beat stands taller
Than the peak of Everest
I visualize and breach the progress
Then high pork chest
A bit right to it
The choice is there is no choice
But to pursue it
Soul undermine
Mind on the sole
My struggle remains
But my insight grows
Down right crim and we dusted
Guitar
Down right crim and we dusted
Guitar
Down right crim and we dusted
Guitar
Down right crim and we dusted
Against the grain
We shall remain
Huh yeah steamin' on
Soon become a new boss
Lord know the sun ain't cut
Gain enough glove
Gain enough crowd
Move in tight
Belly white fright
In the sight set
To step to the height
Left in the field now
Lookin' good
Went to this wayward bounce
'Bout to renounce
Some steadfast
Lookin' my way
I heed not my hearsay
I put my trust in my
Own possessions of knowledge itself
Down right crim and we dusted
Guitar
Down right crim and we dusted
Guitar
Down right crim and we dusted
Guitar
Down right crim and we dusted
Get yourself into hard love
Guitar
The power of the inner eye
Huh
Leds the strength of we
Go
War
Bounce to the next round
Motion splendid
It bring quality
Now I'm on four sides, see
We dump club a tip
Motion splendid
It bring quality
Now I'm on four sides, see
We dump club a tip
Four sides
Four sides
Four sides
(Repeat)
The lyrics to Leftfield's song Dusted are highly abstract and contain a number of somewhat disconnected ideas. The opening lines seem to be a commentary on the popularity of freestyle rapping, suggesting that the "style" referred to in the song is not free or spontaneous but instead something that requires a great deal of skill and effort to master. The chorus contains the repeated phrase "Down right crim and we dusted Guitar," which seems to be an assertion of the musicians' toughness and resilience in the face of adversity.
Throughout the song, there are references to struggle and perseverance, with lines like "My struggle remains / But my insight grows" and "Against the grain / We shall remain." It's not entirely clear what specifically the struggle refers to, though it could be interpreted as an allusion to the difficulties of making it in the music industry, which is notoriously cutthroat and competitive.
The imagery in the song is highly metaphorical and difficult to parse. There are references to Zulu culture, the "peak of Everest," and Tokyo train stops, but it's not clear how these elements fit together into any kind of cohesive narrative. Overall, the song seems to be an expression of raw energy and determination, with a focus on the power of music as a force for transformation and self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
A million guys they want free style
Many seek freedom in expression
There will be no blows not freestyle
This track will not be an improvisational free-for-all
This style is not free
Creativity has its cost
This style is expensive, alright
And it's worth every penny
Old type jokes
Outdated humor
Love me self I possessed
I am confident and secure in myself
More like to death
I'm closer to the brink than most
Yigga yaw
A vocalization of positive energy
Yes sir mister upfront crutch
I am self-reliant and confident
My level is seldom seen
I operate on a higher plane of existence
Few and far between
I am a rare breed
Dem folks they couldn't douse my cane
Attempts to bring me down have failed
Learn to the mean
I am grounded in reality
For brad pick 'e had
I take the best options available to me
Slapped in the face
I have suffered setbacks
Strapped down
I have been tied up and constrained
I get sunset to sunset
I work from dawn till dusk, every day
With no sweat yet
I take on challenges with ease
Cooin' our fret
My team is calm and collected
By the doves them hold me
Peaceful energy surrounds me
I'm picky with precision
I am meticulous in my work
I've made my decision then
I am sure of my choices
Death itself can't hold us down
My legacy will outlive me
But the seeds of progress them done get sow
My work will inspire future generations
My talk back
My response
Broke the cane in four
I overcame a challenge
Face flat to the floor
I was knocked down but got back up
But then from the stress
I emerged stronger
To commence with a brand new sense o' sell
I approach things with a fresh perspective
You old Zulu
A reference to traditional African culture
Comin' to
I am on my way
Tokyo train stop
A destination in Japan
Hipper to the crew
I am in tune with my people
Down right crim and we dusted Guitar
Our music is rebellious and powerful
Tougher than my cuts
I am strong and resilient
And my baby like flex
My partner supports and admires me
But I won't waste my breath
I let my actions speak for themselves
Though this beat stands taller
My music is bigger than I am
Than the peak of Everest
It is a monumental achievement
I visualize and breach the progress
I have the capacity to envision success and make it happen
Then high pork chest
I am proud and confident
A bit right to it
I am straightforward and direct
The choice is there is no choice
I am completely committed to this path
But to pursue it
I am determined to see this through
Soul undermine
I am grappling with internal struggles
Mind on the sole
My focus is on my work
My struggle remains
I still face challenges
But my insight grows
I am constantly learning from my experiences
Against the grain
I am unconventional
We shall remain
We will persevere
Huh yeah steamin' on
We are on fire
Soon become a new boss
I am the master of my own destiny
Lord know the sun ain't cut
There is still much work to be done
Gain enough glove
I am prepared for anything
Gain enough crowd
I have a loyal following
Move in tight
We are working in unison
Belly white fright
We are fearless
In the sight set
We are focused on our goals
To step to the height
We will rise above the challenges
Left in the field now
I am surrounded by those who didn't make it
Lookin' good
I am thriving
Went to this wayward bounce
I accepted the unpredictable nature of my journey
'Bout to renounce
I am ready to move on from this chapter
Some steadfast
I have loyal friends
Lookin' my way
They support and admire me
I heed not my hearsay
I don't let rumors or gossip affect me
I put my trust in my
I have faith in myself
Own possessions of knowledge itself
I value my education and intelligence
Get yourself into hard love Guitar
Push yourself to achieve greatness
The power of the inner eye
The strength that comes from within
Huh
An interjection of understanding
Leds the strength of we
Together, we are powerful
Go
Let's do this
War
We are fighting for our success
Bounce to the next round
Push forward and keep going
Motion splendid
Our progress is impressive
It bring quality
Our work is of the highest caliber
Now I'm on four sides, see
I am expanding my reach
We dump club a tip
We are leaving behind our previous levels of success
Four sides
Expanding in all directions
(Repeat)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TANYA DONELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevensteele1982
This song cannot be played quiet, its explosive and smooth at the same time.
@stevensteele1982
@@starlessgolightly i dont get the reference
@stevensteele1982
@@starlessgolightly who isn't a fan of KRS1. Sound ov da police!!. Nuff respect.
@cloudkap
This track changed my musical life. High bar to compare to. Banger.
@vladan6123
This style is not free, this style is expen$ive!
@fionaogungbaro515
Hold tight troops!
@Pulsar3061
After all these years it is still banging like it used to be, absolutely mesmerising!
@ChubakaSteven
The beat and bass bang harder than most anything I've heard
@wtk1265
Bought this album in a second hand store bc i liked the cover. At home i startet listen to it and was suprised how god damn good this first song is
@placidandy
SAME!