His musical career began in the early 80’s playing drums and bass for two bands, The Mob and Zounds, on the anarchist punk label Crass Records, and touring Europe and UK several times over.
A burgeoning fascination for funk led to him striking out on his own, which led to signing to EMI and recording an album as The Neighbourhood, which was a seven piece band (including Dexy’s original horn section) he subsequently put together. More touring followed, and a spot featuring as a singer on Afrika Bambaataa’s album The Light.
Two more solo albums followed, and stints working with the Horny Horns, Lee Perry and reggae singer Bob Andy amongst others, before the Acid House boom took him, along with many others, in a different musical direction.
What followed was several albums, twelves and ep’s, under various guises on labels such as Reflex, Germany’s Source and San Francisco’s Reflective. This was purely electronic music, with no involvement of any instrumental playing or singing; as a long time singer and player of guitar, bass, drums, brass and keyboards, this was a period of stripping back, influenced by the “faceless techno bollocks” represented by artists and labels such as Aphex Twin and Basic Channel.
It was followed after a while by two albums of more pronounced musicality welded to the electronic and dance music values he had explored in the previous few years. These were his solo album Everything on PIAS Recordings (an album of songs taking in lo-fi, jazz standard and electronic-tinged folk influences) and Variations under the moniker Soul Ascendants (along with DJ Nick the Record) on Nuphonic. The latter was a mixture of house, jazz and afro-beat, featuring collaborations with Fela Kuti’s bandleader and drummer from the Africa 70, Tony Allen.
Both these albums were released in 2000, and it was at this time that he was asked to contribute as writer and vocalist to Groove Armada’s third album Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub). This preceded a period of touring with the band during 2001 – 2002 as vocalist, also helping on trumpet, guitar and keyboard duties, and featuring as vocalist on their next album Lovebox.
Moving on once again, at the end of 2002 he toured with Paul Oakenfold in the States as lead and bass guitarist and vocalist to promote the Oakenfold's album Bunkka, and then as bass player with the breaks-based outfit Hybrid, providing live the bass parts Peter Hook had played on record.
In late 2003 he started working with Tom Findlay from Groove Armada, leading to a remix album Launchpad Remixes.
In 2004 Tim provided horns on several songs on Ian Brown’s album Solarized. He also co-wrote and played guitars and bass on song Time Is My Everything.
Force of two extremes
Tim Hutton Lyrics
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There's still an attraction in a way disaster backhands me the play
I pay the system like a slave
I'm sensing shutdown all the way
I feel the force of two extremes
And all the tension in between
I pay the system like a slave
I'm sensing shutdown all the way
And all the tension in between
Half in love and half in fear, in a circle through the years
(?) Where it stopped of the age of god knows what
I pay the system like a slave
I'm sensing shutdown all the way
I feel the force of two extremes
And all the tension in between
I pay the system like a slave
I'm sensing shutdown all the way
I feel the force of two extremes
And all the tension in between
The winter sun that's never (?)
The silence of (?) Storm
I feel the force of two extremes
And all the tencion in between
I pay the system like a slave
I'm sensing shutdown all the way
I feel the force of two extremes
And all the tension in between
All the tention in between
In "Force of two extremes," Tim Hutton sings of a desire to stay in a situation that's uncomfortable and fraught with conflict. He recognizes that disaster is always lurking around the corner, but there's an irresistible appeal to the chaos. He feels caught between two opposing forces, pulled back and forth by the tension they create. It's a difficult and draining experience, but he can't help but be drawn to it.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone struggling to find their place in the world. They feel trapped in a system that they're forced to pay into, despite feeling like they have no control over it. The constant pressure of these opposing forces is making them feel overwhelmed and on the brink of shutdown. They're half in love and half in fear, unable to break free from the cycle of turmoil that's defined their life for so long.
The winter sun that never rises and the silence of the storm create an atmosphere of bleakness and despair. It's a harsh and unforgiving world, and Hutton feels the weight of it keenly. But despite all of this, he continues to pay into the system and endure the tension between the two extremes. It's a powerful and poignant message about the struggle to find meaning and stability in a world that can be wildly unpredictable.
Line by Line Meaning
This time around i wanna stay despite the cold of yesterday
Despite the disappointment of the past, I am willing to endure and commit this time.
There's still an attraction in a way disaster backhands me the play
Even though failure and tragedy might strike back, there is still some allure or a sense of opportunity in the situation.
I pay the system like a slave
I am persistently giving my resources and labor to an institution or group which might not reciprocate adequately.
I'm sensing shutdown all the way
I am perceiving the possibility of sudden or gradual closure, disconnection, and collapse.
I feel the force of two extremes
I am experiencing the impact of two opposite, intense, or extreme phenomena or emotions that are pulling in different directions.
And all the tension in between
The state of being stretched, strained, or conflicted between those two extremes is palpable and overwhelming.
Half in love and half in fear, in a circle through the years
I am oscillating between being infatuated or attached to something and being scared or apprehensive about it, while repeating similar patterns over time.
Where it stopped of the age of god knows what
I am unable to locate the origin, boundary, or meaning of a certain phase or condition of my life.
The winter sun that's never (?)
Although there might be a source of light or warmth, it is not strong or reliable enough to compensate for the cold and hardship of the winter season.
The silence of (?) Storm
The quietness or inactivity before or after a storm can be eerily ominous or suspenseful.
All the tention in between
All the strain, ambiguity, and dissonance that results from dealing with two conflicting situations or emotions simultaneously.
Contributed by David F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.