Trainspotting: BT & Sasha - The Real World Sessions

Label: Real World
Production Dates: July 27th, 1998 - August 1st, 1998

1. Cry To The World (12:02)
2. The Warrior Song (10:01)
3. Dakane (19:47)
   

The Real World Sessions (sometimes referred to as ReVerb) are the product of an unfinished album project Sasha and BT collaborated on in 1998 for Peter Gabriel's Real World label. An old press biography from Sasha described the recording sessions:

"Always one to share what comes his way, Sasha invited long time friend and collaborator BT to take part in what he called “one of the most amazing musical experiences in my life.” He is referring to his experience out at Peter Gabriel's Real World studio in 1998 where Sasha explains in a mixer article, “we were in there for a week and were just going to do one track (during Real World's annual recording week where artists from all over the world are invited to Bath to record at the famous studios). There were so many talented musicians around and the vibe down there was incredible. People were walking in, hitting things, strumming things, and slapping their goats! There were mad African people everywhere. We ended up recording five tracks and finishing four."

A very limited promotional CDR containing three of the tracks was distributed by BT's management company, 3AM. It is rumored that BT did some additional production work on the masters and at one point he was apparently just waiting for Sasha to find time for them to further collaborate. On August 8th, 2001, three years after the session's conclusion, Sasha said the following regarding the album in an interview with Clubbing Magazine:

You have also worked with BT (Brian Transeau) in Peter Gabriel's Real World studio on some tracks?

Sasha: That was some 3 years ago. What happened is that I would finish the Real World album after I had done my own album. We did some great stuff down there. One day I would love to go back and work with Peter and BT, we had such a good time there. Until I have my own album out, my debut album, I can't think on doing anything else, incl. remixes, the last one I did was Chemical Brothers "Out Of Control", I don't want to waste any time. Unfortunately I open my big mouth and started talking about it years ago, before I had the knowledge on how to do an album. I had up till then done a lot of remixes with a big team of people. But I had never written tracks on my own. I thought it would come together in a year, but it has taken about five. Once I have done it the next record will only take me 6 months, it is just this first one that is taking a long time on coming together.

Plans to finish the album were apparently shelved after BT's studio was burgled in late December 2001. BT's copy of the Real World Sessions (along with large portions of his 4th album) is rumored to have been completely lost. It is unknown whether Sasha or Peter Gabriel possess their own copies of the sessions. Sasha is now rumored to have no interest in returning to the tracks as he feels they're now too dated. Copies of the the CDR appear sporadically on eBay and on several occasions have been removed from auction at BT's request.

"The Warrior Song" was included on a promotional release of the movie soundtrack Go. The track didn't end up on the official release, but as rumors go, copies of the promo were uploaded illegally by a Korean online MP3 store--similar in fashion to the way we see Russian music sites illegally offering cheap MP3 versions of albums today--and then subsequently shared on peer-2-peer programs.

Thanks to Electric Sky Church Music for the info/image on this release.

Please note that the content of this post is based on speculative evidence at best. The author does not condone piracy.

Trainspotting: Elisium - Part 1

Release/Production Date: 2000

Elisium (sometimes referred to as Elysium) are Alexander Coe and John Graham, or as they're better known to electronic music fans, Sasha and Quivver. The two originally planned to collaborate on a track for Sasha's then upcoming artist album. John Graham's 2000 press biography said the following about the track:

"John is also working in the studio with Sasha as we write working on what promises to be a monster tune for Sasha's album."

The result was Elisium's "Part 1". The track was picked up by Dave Seaman for his Desire compilation on Renaissance, but this is the only time the track has seen any sort of release.

Trainspotting: Breeder - Carnival XIII

Label: Rhythm Syndicate
Release/Production Date: 2001

Tracklist

Carnival XIII (Agro Mix) (7:55)
Carnival XIII (Buffbrass Mix) (???)

The final Breeder production, "Carnival XIII," was finished in 2001 but not released prior to Breeder's split-up and the subsequent folding of their label, Rhythm Syndicate. The track's Agro Mix was featured on John Digweed's legendary Global Underground 019: Los Angeles compilation, and the Buffbrass mix was included in Parks & Wilson's Painting On Silence. The full release, unfortunately, never materialized.

In the years since Breeder's split, rumors have spread that a promotional copy of the track was ripped to MP3 and shared on the internet, though I cannot confirm this.

In 2005, Rowan Blades announced that he and Simon Nobles had resolved their differences and were considering rereleasing their discography, which would presumably include "Carnival XIII." A year later, no further word has been received.

Trainspotting: Amethyst - Andalucia (Natious Remix)

Label: Jackpot
Release/Production Date: 1998

Tracklist

A Andalucia (Natious Mix)
B Andalucia (Natious Dub)

Natious' incredible remixes of Amethyst's "Andalucia" were an unfortunate victim of label troubles. Legendary UK label, Jackpot, folded just after releasing promotional copies of this amazing 12". Dave Seaman was one of the few fortunate enough to receive a copy, and he included the dub mix on his 1999 mix compilation, Awakening, on Renaissance.

The track now remains in labeless limbo, with neither of the track's producers apparently concerned with getting it released. Amethyst's John Horrocks unfortunately committed suicide in 2001, while Tim "Natious" Ratcliffe no longer produces music. Although Jackpot's back catalog was recently rereleased in digital format, it did not include this release.

Trainspotting: Envelope - Packet

Production Date: 2000

Envelope's "Packet" was the original name for what later became Junkie XL and Sasha's 2002 single, "Breezer". But wait. Isn't "Breezer" still in print and easily obtainable? Yes, but not in its early incarnation. Played during Sasha's December 29, 2000 Kiss 100 Guest Mix, the early version of "Breezer" is a much different track than what was eventually released in 2002. More dreamy and ethereal than it's later cousin, "Packet" is simply epic. It's understandable why so many who heard the beautiful early version were disappointed when they heard the watered down final product years later.

Why the alias for the track's production? Producer/DJs sometimes disguise track names as a sort of protection against trainspotters, though it is not certain if this is the reason Junkie XL or Sasha decided to give the track its early, alternate identity.

The track was evidently pressed to vinyl, as Sasha played it out at several gigs in late 2000. Some claim to even own a copy of JXL's "Track 2", which is apparently the same track. Regardless, it is unlikely that this version of the track will ever see the light of day, especially considering it has already been released in finished format.

Trainspotting: Elizabeth Fraser - Underwater (Charlie May Remix)

Label: None [SAM00346]
Release/Production Date: 2000

Tracklist

A Underwater (Charlie May Mix)
B Underwater (Charlie May Instrumental)

Arguably the holy grail of all rarities, Charlie May's brilliant remix of Elizabeth Fraser's "Underwater" is classic Charlie May. Quirky melodies, tight percussion, and heavenly progressions. Perhaps May's best work, and that's saying a lot. Here's what he had to say in an interview with Progressive-Sounds:

Charlie May Interview - 12/01/2001 (source: Progressive-Sounds.com)

Simon: You've recently done remixes for Liz Fraser and Orbital. When are these likely to be released and have you been approached to do any others?

Charlie: I did two mixes for Liz Fraser which never saw the light of day due to a difference of opinion between the artist and the record company. I don't mind admitting to being moderately peeved at becoming the filling in a political sandwich that ultimately means everyone loses out and two mixes are gathering dust! Napster where are you now?! Oh please don't bootleg it anyone ...

The track was featured on Parks & Wilson's Essential Mix on February 24, 2002. The copy possessed by them is one of four copies known to exist--the others belonging to John Digweed, Nick Warren, and Ian Ossia. Rumors say the track was never actually pressed to vinyl, and that only CDRs were handed out. To date, no vinyl rips or MP3 leaks have surfaced.