Stakker Humanoid
| "Stakker Humanoid" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Stakker Humanoid (The Omen Mix)" |
Stakker Humanoid is a song by Humanoid released in 1988 by the London-based label Westside Records. The influential track was referred to by The Guardian as "the first truly credible UK acid techno record to break into the mainstream."[1]
History of the track
The project behind the track started out with Stakker, a collaborative project by the video artists Mark McClean and Colin Scott. They needed music to support their video and contacted Brian Dougans. They sent a demo video tape containing graphics and some music to Morgan Khan who (although he didn't appreciate the video) invited Brian Dougans to record 2 demos at his Dance Studios in Ealing London. The sample “Humanoid”, taken from the videogame Berzerk provided the name of the track.
The track was originally called “Humanoid” to be put out by Stakker through Morgan Khan's label Westside Records, though Morgan released it as “Stakker Humanoid” by “Humanoid” to avoid copyright issues. A dispute had arisen between Brian Dougans and Colin Scott / Mark McClean and before the record was in the shops, Stakker and Brian Dougans split, ending their working relationship which had lasted just over a year. However Mark McClean and Brian Dougans were to continue working together on The Future Sound of London project.[2][3]
The track was a hit not just at influential clubs like Shoom in London, but was championed by mainstream stalwarts like Radio DJ Bruno Brookes and Kylie and Jason producer Pete Waterman. It went on to reach number 17 in the UK charts in November 1988, leading to Dougans' appearance on Top of the Pops on 1st December 1988. [4] In 2011, Noel Gallagher said of the track:
"What a fucking tune Stakker Humanoid is! I didn't realise it was them (Future Sound of London) until we were about halfway through recording. Someone mentioned that track halfway through recording [his collaborative album with Amorphous Androgynous] and I was like, 'You're fucking joking … shut up … get the fuck out of here!' I had to stop and give them a hug. I used to love that tune!"[5]
Mixes
The soundtrack for the 1989 release Eurotechno (originally written by Brian Dougans) was remixed and overdubbed with new sections added by Colin Scott and Simon Monday in the digital studio that Colin Scott and Mark McClean had set up in the Goldcrest building in Great Pultney Street in Soho. This soundtrack is on the Eurotechno video and on the CD recently released by Rephlex Records.
Track listings
Original 12" and CD release
- A1 - Stakker Humanoid (4:59)
- A2 - Stakker Humanoid (Radio Edit) (3:40)
- B - Stakker Humanoid (The Omen Mix) (7:50)
Original 7" release
- A - Stakker Humanoid (3:40)
- B - Stakker Humanoid (Part 2) (4:40)
| "Stakker Humanoid" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
Stakker Humanoid '92
- Stakker Humanoid (7" Original) (3:40)
- Stakker Humanoid (Smart Systems Remix) (4:52)
- Remix - Smart Systems
- Stakker Humanoid (Gary Cobain '94 Mix) (5:41)
- Remix - Garry Cobain
- Stakker Humanoid (Omen Mix) (7:36)
- Stakker Humanoid (303 Tribe) (5:31)
- Remix - Future Sound Of London, The
- Stakker Humanoid (Outer Limits) (4:51)
- Remix - Future Sound Of London, The
- Stakker Humanoid (12" Original) (4:55)
- Stakker Humanoid (Dub Drums) (2:43)
- Remix - Future Sound Of London, The
| "Stakker Humanoid" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
Stakker Humanoid 2001
- Stakker Humanoid (Krafty's Radio Cut) (3:55)
- Engineer - Ed Solo
- Remix, Producer [Additional Production] - Krafty Kuts
- Stakker Humanoid (Plump DJ's 2001 Re-Touch) (6:49)
- Remix, Producer [Additional Production] - Plump DJs
- Stakker Humanoid (7" Original) (3:40)
- Stakker Humanoid (Snowman Mix) (3:54)
| "Stakker Humanoid" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
Stakker Humanoid 2007
- Stakker Humanoid (Feadz 2007 Mix) (4:02)
- Remix - Feadz
- Stakker Humanoid (Punx Soundcheck Mix) (6:36)
- Remix - Punx Soundcheck
- Stakker Humanoid (James Talk Mix) (8:04)
- Remix - James Talk
- Stakker Humanoid (King Roc's 3am And Feeling OK Mix) (9:10)
- Remix - King Roc
- Stakker Humanoid (Scan X Mix) (4:56)
Chart positions
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | "Stakker Humanoid" | UK Singles Chart | #17 |
| 1988 | "Stakker Humanoid" | UK Dance Chart | #1 |
| 1992 | "Stakker Humanoid '92" | UK Singles Chart | #40 |
| 2001 | "Stakker Humanoid 2001" | UK Singles Chart | #65 |
Personnel
- Composed by Brian Dougans
- Engineered by John Laker
- Produced and mixed by Brian Dougans, John Laker
- Uses vocal samples from the videogame 'Berzerk'.
References
- ^ http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/11/stakker-humanoid-25th-anniversary-acid-house
- ^ http://www.secondthought.co.uk/fsol/
- ^ Halter * Net: The Future Sound of London: Discography
- ^ Stuart Aitken (11 November 2013). "Stakker Humanoid: how the Future Sound of London won hearts and minds". guardian.co.uk.
- ^ http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/11/stakker-humanoid-25th-anniversary-acid-house