From an electronic music perspective, the period 1992 to 1996 in the UK that this compilation celebrates, was one of dizzying sonic diversification.
It was also a particularly turbulent time in the UK, not only politically and economically, but also culturally too. Economic catastrophe in ‘92 was followed by widespread poverty, a cost of living crisis and countless political scandals. Meanwhile, John Major’s Tory government pandered to its political base via unpleasant, authoritarian legislation that seemingly sought to crush rave culture, alternative lifestyles, and traveller communities. The UK was not so much a ‘Happy Land’ – to quote the name of this compilation – as an angry and divided one. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Throughout, the music created by producers based across these Isles remained uniquely British, speeding up a process begun in the late 1980s through the emergence of street soul, bleep & bass and breakbeat hardcore – musical styles whose roots in multicultural inner-city communities made them distinctly different from the Black American sounds that had inspired their creators. It was here, rather than in the indie pubs of Camden, that real musical revolutions were taking place.
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This collection has been lovingly selected, compiled and mastered for maximum sonic playback. This very special release boasts sublime pastoral themed artwork, as well as informative and passionate liner notes by celebrated music scribe Matt Anniss (‘Join The Future’).
Happy Land (A Compendium Of Electronic Music From The British Isles 1992-1996 Volume 1) LP:
Release Date 17/03/2023
Above Board Projects HLLP1
A1. Cabaret Voltaire – Soul Vine (70 Billion People)
A2. Ultramarine – Happy Land (ft. Robert Wyatt)
B. Thunderhead The Word By Eden – True Romance
C1. Xeper – Carceres Ex Novum
C2. Herbert – Housewife
D1. Liquid Son – Big Decision
D2. Syzgzy – Meditation
Happy Land (A Compendium Of Electronic Music From The British Isles 1992-1996 Volume 2) LP:
Release Date 14/04/2023
Above Board Projects / HLLP2
A1. Strider. B. – Linmiri ≠Bradley Stryder
A2. Radioactive Lamb – Bellevedere
B1. Max – Pull Thy Boots
B2. Fretless Azm – Dreamland
C1. Sandoz – Armed Response
C2. The Black Dog – Cost II
D1. Zone Smut – Sub Dub Rub (Holyfield Vs. Tyson Remix Totally Killed By Sub Dub)
D2. Slow Rotor – Space Disco (Dub Edit)
Happy Land (A Compendium Of Electronic Music From The British Isles 1992-1996) DIGITAL:
Release Date 14/04/2023 – DIGITAL
Above Board Projects / HLLPDIG1
1. Cabaret Voltaire – Soul Vine (70 Billion People)
2. Ultramarine – Happy Land (ft. Robert Wyatt)
3. Thunderhead The Word By Eden – True Romance
4. Xeper – Carceres Ex Novum
5. Herbert – Housewife
6. Liquid Son – Big Decision
7. Syzgzy – Meditation
8. Strider. B. – Linmiri ≠Bradley Stryder
9. Radioactive Lamb – Bellevedere
10. Max – Pull Thy Boots
11. Fretless Azm – Dreamland
12. Sandoz – Armed Response
13. The Black Dog – Cost II
14. Zone Smut – Sub Dub Rub (Holyfield Vs. Tyson Remix Totally Killed By Sub Dub)
15. Slow Rotor – Space Disco (Dub Edit)
