All Systems Gone
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All Systems Gone is a 1999 album by Presence, a project from producer Charles Webster featuring vocalists Shara Nelson and Sara Jay, both of whom had previously worked with Massive Attack, and Steve Edwards, formerly a member of Cloud 9, released on the Pagan label in the UK.
Recording
Webster had recorded under the name Presence since the 1995 single "My Baby" and had a UK hit in 1998 with "Sense of Danger", which reached no. 61 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] This was followed a year later by "Future Love", which peaked at no. 66.[1] Both hit singles were included on the album, along with singles "The Strength" and "Better Day". Unlike much of the genre, the album is very song-based, with Webster explaining "I wanted to make a proper album as opposed to a strict house album. I wanted the songs to have depth and emotion."[2] Nelson said of the collaboration "Charles' songs really stood out from the tracks I tend to receive. They were dance-based, but they had real depth and soul, which is very unusual."[3]
Reception
The album received much critical acclaim with DJ magazine giving it an 11/10 rating, and Allmusic calling it "Probably the first classic record of the 21st century."[4][5][6] NME awarded it a 7/10 rating, describing it as "a collection of subtle, soothing, densely-textured compositions".[4] Billboard reviewer Michael Paoletta describing it as "beautifully awash in melancholic melodies, soulful vocals, and atmospheric landscapes".[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Future Love" (vocals by Steve Edwards) | 6:19 |
| 2. | "This Is You" (vocals by Sara Jay) | 5:49 |
| 3. | "Been 2 Long" (vocals by Steve Edwards) | 7:58 |
| 4. | "Matter Of Fact" (vocals by Shara Nelson) | 5:22 |
| 5. | "Your Spirit" (vocals by Steve Edwards) | 4:58 |
| 6. | "Keeping Count" | 6:03 |
| 7. | "Sense Of Danger" (vocals by Shara Nelson) | 7:10 |
| 8. | "Favour Nothing" | 4:45 |
| 9. | "The Strength (Within)" (vocals by Fiona) | 4:29 |
| 10. | "Better Day" (vocals by Steve Edwards) | 5:01 |
| 11. | "Far Far Away From My Heart" (vocals by Sara Jay) | 4:43 |
References
- ^ a b "Presence", Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 June 2014
- ^ Paoletta, Michael (1999) "U.K.'s Charles Webster Maintains Unorthodox Presence", Billboard, 9 January 1999, p. 22. Retrieved 16 June 2014
- ^ Verrico, Lisa (1999) "Touched by Your Presence", Scotland on Sunday, 21 February 1999. Retrieved 16 June 2014 – via HighBeam (subscription required)
- ^ a b "All Systems Gone", NME, 4 January 1999. Retrieved 16 June 2014
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2000) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music, Virgin Books, ISBN 978-0753504277, p. 315
- ^ Greenwald, Matthew "All Systems Gone", Allmusic. Retrieved 16 June 2014
- ^ Paoletta, Michael (2000) "Presence All Systems Gone", Billboard, 22 January 2000, p. 30. Retrieved 16 June 2014