Faithless: Difference between revisions
Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
In the vein of their dance roots, each of the four studio albums has been followed with a subsequent bonus disc of remixes. This was not always to be the case, though, as Sunday 8PM was the first to be remixed, with the bonus disc being called Saturday 3AM. Shortly after its success the group realised the prospect to make more interesting music and called on fellow DJs to remix their debut album leading to the bonus disc Irreverence. A year and a half after their third album was released, Reperspective became the second disc, which also featured two bonus songs as well as all the remixes. Their final album was something of an anomaly, possibly because it was so popular (their only number 1 album) the extra disc "Everything Will Be Alright Tomorrow" was released as a stand alone album, and is merely eight instrumentals from their final album labelled "One" to "Eight", with a single new track entitled "Blissy's Groove". |
In the vein of their dance roots, each of the four studio albums has been followed with a subsequent bonus disc of remixes. This was not always to be the case, though, as Sunday 8PM was the first to be remixed, with the bonus disc being called Saturday 3AM. Shortly after its success the group realised the prospect to make more interesting music and called on fellow DJs to remix their debut album leading to the bonus disc Irreverence. A year and a half after their third album was released, Reperspective became the second disc, which also featured two bonus songs as well as all the remixes. Their final album was something of an anomaly, possibly because it was so popular (their only number 1 album) the extra disc "Everything Will Be Alright Tomorrow" was released as a stand alone album, and is merely eight instrumentals from their final album labelled "One" to "Eight", with a single new track entitled "Blissy's Groove". |
||
As well as their own studio albums, all three members actively engage in other people's work as solo figures. Sister Bliss, as previously mentioned, is a prominent dance DJ and has for a long time toured the circuit on her own, remixed others' albums and even appeared in music videos, such as Paul |
As well as their own studio albums, all three members actively engage in other people's work as solo figures. Sister Bliss, as previously mentioned, is a prominent dance DJ and has for a long time toured the circuit on her own, remixed others' albums and even appeared in music videos, such as Paul Oakenfold's "Weekend". Maxi Jazz brought out an album before the formation of Faithless and also worked on pirate radio and would later work on the digital music project album "[[1 Giant Leap]]" guesting on a song with [[Robbie Williams]]. Finally, Rollo founded the label [[Cheeky Records]] and has produced the music of other artist, most notably his sister's two albums, as well as using various monikers to create popular dance music under the names Rollo Goes ... (Camping, Mystic and Spiritual), Felix, Our Tribe (with [[Rob Dougan]]), and [[Dusted_(band)|Dusted]]. |
||
As well as this other work, the band collectively indulge in mixtapes of other musicians' work, either mixed by the group or merely selected by them. This includes the long running [[Back To Mine]] sessions, of which they are the fifth of over 20 people selected to choose the music, as well as The Bedroom Sessions and more recently the [[Renaissance 3D]] music project, in conjunction with the [[Renaissance (club)|Renaissance]] nightclub. |
As well as this other work, the band collectively indulge in mixtapes of other musicians' work, either mixed by the group or merely selected by them. This includes the long running [[Back To Mine]] sessions, of which they are the fifth of over 20 people selected to choose the music, as well as The Bedroom Sessions and more recently the [[Renaissance 3D]] music project, in conjunction with the [[Renaissance (club)|Renaissance]] nightclub. |
Revision as of 07:18, 24 July 2006
Faithless | |
---|---|
File:ForeverFaithless.jpg | |
Background information | |
Years active | 1995 – present |
Members | Maxi Jazz Sister Bliss Rollo |
- For the term meaning perfidious, see, for example recreant. For the motion picture, see Faithless (2000 film).
Faithless are a UK group of musicians whose music is described by one of their band as a cross between trip-hop and dance. While they are mostly famous for their notorious dance songs ("Insomnia" "God Is A DJ" and "We Come 1") the band try to produce albums which offer a blend of genres, attempting to make an album that sounds like a mixtape so while the title track opener to their debut album, "Reverence", is a dance-based trip-hop song, the second track, "Don't Leave", is a mellow acoustic number.
History
The three members of Faithless are Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. Jazz acts as a vocalist mostly rapping and elevates the euphoric, ambient music to a spiritual and socio-political level with many of his lyrics; Bliss, as arguably the most popular female DJ not to mention her talents in playing the piano, violin, saxaphone and bass, constructs most of the music while Rollo heads and produces the band's genre defying sound.
As well as these three members, Faithless have employed a guest member for each album. Jamie Catto was an original member of the band, but left after their second album, Sunday 8PM and in a way is viewed as a two-time guest member. On their third album, Outrospective, Zoë Johnston joined the lineup while their fourth album, No Roots saw LSK as Faithless member number four. The band often has various people do one-off features on their tracks, though one artist has managed to make a regular feature of her appearances. Pop singer Dido, who is Rollo's sister recorded her first studio track with Faithless, "Flowerstand Man", and was reportedly paid with a curry. She has since featured on one track on each album, in order: "Flowerstand Man", "Hem Of His Garment", "One Step Too Far" and finally "No Roots".
It was reported that Faithless were to split up after their latest tour in mid-2005. Speculation started after Rollo wrote in the liner notes of the No Roots booklet "We set out thinking it would be our last album, feeling maybe we have had our time in the sun".[1] However, a fresh clutch of live dates meant the tour actually lasted until December 2005. They have currently released a greatest hits compilation, called Forever Faithless - The Greatest Hits, which reached number one in the UK, and are continuing to tour.
Music
Faithless have released four albums of their own work each time gaining higher positions on the album charts. They are called Reverence (which reached number 26), Sunday 8PM (reaching number 10), Outrospective (peaking at number 4) and No Roots (which debuted at number 1) between 1996 and 2004, with a greatest hits album out in 2005.
In the vein of their dance roots, each of the four studio albums has been followed with a subsequent bonus disc of remixes. This was not always to be the case, though, as Sunday 8PM was the first to be remixed, with the bonus disc being called Saturday 3AM. Shortly after its success the group realised the prospect to make more interesting music and called on fellow DJs to remix their debut album leading to the bonus disc Irreverence. A year and a half after their third album was released, Reperspective became the second disc, which also featured two bonus songs as well as all the remixes. Their final album was something of an anomaly, possibly because it was so popular (their only number 1 album) the extra disc "Everything Will Be Alright Tomorrow" was released as a stand alone album, and is merely eight instrumentals from their final album labelled "One" to "Eight", with a single new track entitled "Blissy's Groove".
As well as their own studio albums, all three members actively engage in other people's work as solo figures. Sister Bliss, as previously mentioned, is a prominent dance DJ and has for a long time toured the circuit on her own, remixed others' albums and even appeared in music videos, such as Paul Oakenfold's "Weekend". Maxi Jazz brought out an album before the formation of Faithless and also worked on pirate radio and would later work on the digital music project album "1 Giant Leap" guesting on a song with Robbie Williams. Finally, Rollo founded the label Cheeky Records and has produced the music of other artist, most notably his sister's two albums, as well as using various monikers to create popular dance music under the names Rollo Goes ... (Camping, Mystic and Spiritual), Felix, Our Tribe (with Rob Dougan), and Dusted.
As well as this other work, the band collectively indulge in mixtapes of other musicians' work, either mixed by the group or merely selected by them. This includes the long running Back To Mine sessions, of which they are the fifth of over 20 people selected to choose the music, as well as The Bedroom Sessions and more recently the Renaissance 3D music project, in conjunction with the Renaissance nightclub.
Discography
Studio:
- Reverence (November 1996) #26 UK
- Sunday 8PM (September 18, 1998) #10 UK
- Sunday 8PM / Saturday 3AM (October 25, 1999)
- Reverence / Irreverence (November 6, 2000)
- Outrospective (June 18, 2001) #4 UK
- Outrospective / Reperspective (August 26, 2002)
- No Roots (June 7, 2004) (July 6, 2004) #1 UK
- Everything Will Be Alright Tomorrow (August 31, 2004)
- Forever Faithless - The Greatest Hits (May 16, 2005) #1 UK
Other:
- Back to Mine (October 16, 2000) (various artists, selected and mixed by Faithless)
- The Bedroom Sessions - Faithless (2001) (various artists, selected by Faithless)
From Reverence:
- "Salva Mea (Save Me)" - 1995 #30 UK
- "Insomnia" - 1995 #27 UK
- "Don't Leave" - 1996 #34 UK
- "If Lovin' You Is Wrong"
- "Insomnia" - 1996 re-release #3 UK
- "Salva Mea" - 1996 re-release #9 UK
- "Reverence" - 1997 #10 UK
- "Don't Leave" - 1997 re-release #21 UK
- "Insomnia" - 2005 re-entry #48 UK
From Sunday 8PM:
- "God Is a DJ" - 1998 #6 UK
- "Take The Long Way Home" - 1998 #15 UK
- "Bring My Family Back" - 1999 #14 UK
- "Why Go" - 1999
- "God Is A DJ" - 2005 re-entry #66 UK
From Outrospective:
- "We Come 1" - 2001 #3 UK
- "Muhammad Ali" - 2001 #29 UK
- "Tarantula" - 2001 #29 UK
- "Crazy English Summer" - 2001
- "One Step Too Far" (featuring Dido) - 2002 #6 UK
- "We Come 1" - 2005 re-entry #73 UK
Non-album single:
- "Dub Be Good To Me" (featuring Dido) - 2002 promo vinyl
From No Roots:
- "Mass Destruction" - 2004 #7 UK
- "I Want More" - 2004 #22 UK
- "Miss You Less See You More" - 2004 #38 UK
- "No Roots" (featuring Dido) - non official release (promo)
From Forever Faithless - The Greatest Hits:
- "Why Go" (featuring Estelle - 2005 remix) - 2005 #49 UK
- "Insomnia 2005" - 2005 #17 UK
- "Fatty Boo" (2005/2006)
- "Reasons (Saturday Night)" (2005/2006)
Other appearances
Note: This list is probably incomplete and not in chronological order.
- Maxi Jazz (from Faithless) & Robbie Williams - "My Culture", on the album 1 Giant Leap by 1 Giant Leap - 2002 #9 UK
- Faithless - "Addictive", on the soundtrack to the film Cruel Intentions
- Faithless - "Woozy", on the soundtrack to the film The Beach
- Faithless - "Like Ice In The Sunshine", featured on a German ice cream advert.
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
Notes
External links
- Official web site (UK)
- Official web site (ZA)
- Faithless discography at MusicBrainz