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
Phat Planet
Leftfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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Leftfield's Phat Planet is an instrumental track with no lyrics, except for the repetitive chanting of the words "Phat planet." However, the use of these words and the rhythm of the track create an atmosphere of urban life and convey a sense of motion and energy. The instrumentals, such as the heavy bassline and constantly evolving drum patterns, add to the feeling of being in the middle of a bustling city.
The song's title, "Phat Planet," is a play on words, combining the words "fat" and "planet." The use of "phat" is intentionally misspelled to represent a specific time and culture in music, where "phat" was commonly used to describe something that was cool or impressive. The title can be interpreted as a symbol for the music scene and its ability to unite people from all walks of life, much like a planet that brings together a diversity of people.
Overall, the track gives the feeling of being in a constantly moving and evolving environment, and the repetition of the chant "Phat planet" emphasizes the unstoppable energy of urban life.
Line by Line Meaning
Phat planet
This is a phrase that repeats throughout the song and refers to a place or environment that is exceptionally desirable or attractive.
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Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARNES, DALEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Balli Bee
I remember when this song first came out, the Guiness ad is still class. Hearing it play in a club for the first time was something else, the crowd just erupted!!! Absolute banger of a tune 👌
Novus Talks
It was also used as the theme song for the show transformers beast machines
Balli Bee
@Novus Talks Was it? I didn't know that.... you learn something new everyday 😊
Novus Talks
@Balli Bee yep
Electronic Witchcraft
The resident Dj at The Orbit dropped this before Sven Vath played. It was menacing on their towering stacks and the air was filled with what I later learned to be people smoking crack. Good times.
Balli Bee
@Electronic Witchcraft Good times indeed 😂😂😂 never smoked crack myself, I'd always put that haze in the air down to dry ice but you just never know
UncaringZebra7 SevenSquad
Fun fact: I discovered this album and the artist by finding vinyl in a flea market! The records were in good condition and the album art just caught my attention.
Lukas Groot
I discovered this album by this song being in EA's F1 2000 game back in the day lol.
Emerson Borges
i discovered this song in the beast war animation!
Just Rexy
@Emerson Borges beast machines*