Volume (magazine)

Volume was a magazine in the form of a series of compact disc compilation albums that were published in the UK in the early to mid 1990s. The albums typically contained exclusive tracks and remixes from a diverse range of indie artists. Each album was packaged with a 192-page booklet that contained features on the artists, and original articles. The booklet was the size and shape of a CD jewel case, and was usually packaged with the CD case in a cardboard sleeve. Volume One, the first issue, was published in September 1991. The series came to an end in January 1997, with Volume Seventeen.

Several double-CD compilations were also released in parallel with the series, including the Trance Europe Express and Trance Atlantic series, a mix release called TEXtures, and two best-of compilations. These special editions were packaged in double-disc jewel cases, in a box with Volume's standard-sized 192-page booklet. Later editions included a CD-ROM, typically with a series of Flash animations and video content. The brand's visual trademark was photographs of tropical fish, with a different species appearing on the cover of each issue. The collective spines laid end to end of Volume One to Volume 10 formed the image of a shark.

The artists featured in the magazine ranged widely from indie guitar groups such as Curve, The Wannadies, and The Cocteau Twins, to ambient and techno artists such as The Orb and The Shamen. Other artists and trip-hop band Massive Attack, electronic body music group Nitzer Ebb, and hip-hop act Cypress Hill. Electronic music was featured quite heavily.

The booklet contained interviews and bios of the bands and musical artists, with discographies and "favorite tracks" lists. The tone of many of the articles was irreverent, and much of the filler material was humorous. For example, in the Wasted compilation's companion booklet, several short blurbs entitled "The Diary of Dave Stewart's Beard" are written from the perspective of a beard, which pontificates whether it will be shaven, and describes its attempts to hide itself in shame after the poor performance of its owner's latest album.

Issues

• Volume One - September 1991
• Volume Two - November 1991
• Volume Three - May 1992
• Volume Four - August 1992
• Volume Five - December 1992
• Volume Six - April 1993
• Volume Seven - July 1993
• Trance Europe Express - September 1993
• Volume Eight - November 1993
• Volume Nine - March 1994
• Trance Europe Express 2 - May 1994
• Volume Ten - July 1994
• Volume Eleven - August 1994
• Trance Europe Express 3 - October 1994
• Volume Twelve - December 1994
• Trance Atlantic - January 1995
• Volume Thirteen - 1995
• Wasted: The Best of Volume, Part I - 1995
• Sharks Patrol These Waters: The Best of Volume, Part II - May 1995
• Trance Europe Express 4 - July 1995
• Volume Fourteen: Reading 95 - August 1995
• Trance Atlantic 2 - October 1995
• Volume Fifteen - November 1995
• TEXtures - April 1996
• Volume Sixteen - July 1996
• Trance Europe Express 5 - November 1996
• Volume Seventeen - January 1997

The Trance... albums concentrated exclusively on electronic music. Of the two "best of" compilations, Wasted rounded up electronic/dance tracks, while Sharks Patrol These Waters concentrated on guitar-based bands.

A 12" and CD single were also released (without a booklet, though the 12" came with a tropical fish poster) to promote the two "Best Of" compilations. The single contained "Belfast/Wasted" by Orbital from Wasted and "Innocent X" by Therapy? from Sharks Patrol These Waters.

External links and references

• A thorough discography and track listing
• [1] Obituary: Rob Deacon (Robin Gibson and Sarah Champion, The Guardian, Wednesday 10 October 2007)