Forever Faithless (The Greatest Hits) - Faithless

There have been so many dance acts over the last ten years, I find it hard to remember any of them. In fact, dance music is so risible nowadays, clubs like Ministry and the Ibiza super-clubs must have a hard time filling their dancefloors. I mean who's going to be dancing to that damn-awful stupid frog song? Please tell me it's not you …

Anyway, there have been or two notable exceptions, and Faithless, with their infectious brand of ...
...the helm, have released consistently good tunes. So when I saw the advert's for this CD, I knew I had to have it. Father's day arrives and my lovely daughter buys it for me. Woo hoo.

A little background …

Faithless consists of three main protagonists; Sister Bliss, Maxi Jazz and Rollo. Cool names huh? Sis' provides all the keyboards while Maxi brings along his unique lyrical and rap style and Rollo writes and produces. ... more

There have been so many dance acts over the last ten years, I find it hard to remember any of them. In fact, dance music is so risible nowadays, clubs like Ministry and the Ibiza super-clubs must have a hard time filling their dancefloors. I mean who's going to be dancing to that damn-awful stupid frog song? Please tell me it's not you …

Anyway, there have been or two notable exceptions, and Faithless, with their infectious brand of catchy riffs, social commentary and the enigmatic Maxi Jazz at the helm, have released consistently good tunes. So when I saw the advert's for this CD, I knew I had to have it. Father's day arrives and my lovely daughter buys it for me. Woo hoo.

A little background …

Faithless consists of three main protagonists; Sister Bliss, Maxi Jazz and Rollo. Cool names huh? Sis' provides all the keyboards while Maxi brings along his unique lyrical and rap style and Rollo writes and produces. Sister Bliss is a well known DJ on the international club scene, and indeed has a DJ residency at 'Turnmills' where many of their tunes are presented to the club-going throng. The team got together in 1995 after an introduction by a mutual friend, and the rest, as they say, is history. Their first single, in 1996, was 'Salva Mea' and it became an instant club classic, combining driving beats and that now famous pizzicato sound. 'Faithless' was the follow-up single and was only held off the number one spot by none other than the Spice Girls. Dance music had just reached a new high.

Their musical ethos, while embracing several different dance styles, remains firmly rooted in house music traditions. It's what I could call 'organic', in that many of the tracks don't follow a formal structure. Instead they seem to flow into riffs and vocal arrangements and layers of sounds and it's a style I find very pleasing. Each song takes the listener on an up and down journey and is perfect club music. The lyrics too, are nothing short of sensational. Not for singing about damn castles in the sky or what they really really want with these guys, Maxi's oral disseminations are wrenched from his soul and this is reflected in the music.

The CD itself …

After a quick look at the track list on the back, I knew straight away this is going to be something special. To take the 16 best tracks from one of the best dance acts around, and well, it's got to be good hasn't it?

The cover is a simple black background with Maxi Jazz looking reflective and in gold type are the words 'Forever Faithless', announcing the title. On the reverse is the track list with a picture of Sister Bliss holding onto Maxi who is also sporting a 'Bliss' tattoo.

The inside notes are quite interesting. Rollo Armstrong has made a small comment on all the tracks about how they were created and what the music means to them which is not something you see everyday. The honesty displayed is refreshing too.

Insomnia - 8'41

The one that really kicked them off, and rightly is the first track of this compilation. The low, dark introduction of brooding chords and swirling effects really set the scene before the drums kick in and the tempo goes up a notch. But it's when that pizzicato sound kicks in, do the spirits soar. It's perfectly hummable (is that a word?) and instantly recognisable. The lyrics are describing one man's fruitless search for sleep, and as a die-hard insomniac myself, they speak to me in volumes:

"I only smoke weed when I need to get some rest where's the sense? I confess, I burnt a hole in the mattress, yes, it was me I feel guilty …"
"I can't sleep something's all over me, greasy insomnia please release me and let me dream about making mad love on the heath, tearing off tights with my teeth."

Marvelous stuff and one of my favourite tracks of any artist. 5 out of 5

Mass Destruction - 3'32

This is one of their latest releases and is taken off the 'No Roots' album. It has almost a swing-beat feel to it with big band brass sounds combined with raspy guitars and what I would call 'happy' drums. Maxi talks about the REAL mass weapons of destruction in the world - racism, fear, misinformation, inflation, globalization, oil greed.

"Whether you're caucasian, or a poor asian, race is used a weapon of mass destruction".
"With a long range weapon or suicide bomber, a wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction".

Indeed. 4 out of 5.

God is a DJ - 3'28

This tune is rightly revered as an all-time dance music classic. Blissy's riff in the introduction is often imitated and never bettered. She acknowledges herself in the sleeve notes that it was written at the peak of the superclubs and encompasses those heady days with a spiritual reverence.

"This is my church. This is where I heal all my hurts".

Interestingly, from the notes, the title came from a T-Shirt!

My rating: 5 out of 5 - dance music rarely gets any more spiritual than this.

Don't Leave - 4'00

Taken from the Sunday 8am album, this is a mellow, slowed-down soulful track with Jamie Catto and Pauline Taylor on main vocals with Dido providing backing. While it hasn't got the driving energy of most of their other songs, it's still an interesting story of trying not to lose one's love. The arrangements are quite exquisite and wouldn't be out of place on a chilled-out Sunday morning.

Rating: A chilled 3 out of 5

Muhammad Ali - 3'31

This was a grower for me. I didn't immediately take to it as I think I was expecting something along the lines of a big dance beat whereas this is a lot slower and with a lot more rapping and singing on it from Maxi. Rollo's comments states the tune is based around an old Archi Bell & the Drells sample, which I haven't heard, but you can't help but bop your head to it. Very 70's funky sounding. It's Maxi's ode to the maestro himself, Muhammed Ali, and tells the tale of how Mr Ali empowered him as a kid and gave him the confidence to stand up to his tormentors.

"You know what? Skinny little me started to strut,
ten years old, suddenly bold
and I resolved to live my life like my hero in the ring
be smart, never give an inch."

Superb stuff and it's a heart-warming tribute to the greatest athlete ever? 4 out of 5

We Come 1 - 3'44

Rollo states it's probably one of the best house tunes ever made. While I can't quite agree with that comment, it's certainly a powerful tune. I'm not reviewing the video here, but you must check it out. It manages to tell two tales at once - One a chilled out dance rave, the other, a riot of football proportions and it's a beautiful video, fusing both images into a strange paradox. Onto the song. I've never heard this in a club but I can imagine it would go down an absolute storm. The main riff is a minimalist, edgy synth sound with only about 4 or 5 notes in it but it really holds the tune together. Like all good dance tunes, it takes the listener/dancer on an up and down journey with the emotions. One minute you're down with just the one synth sound playing, the next is taking you to another level with incessent beats, wonderful pulsing synths and Maxi's lyrics.

Terrific house tune. Not the best, but terrific all the same. 4 out of 5.

Reverence - 3'45

Taken from the album of the same name, this has a trippy hip-hop beat to it with Maxi's almost constant rap (how does he remember the words?) driving the song forward. The chorus vocals are provided by Dido and Pauline Taylor and provide a pefect foil to Maxi's lyrical waxing.

"You don't need eyes to see, you need vision"

Nice. A head-bopping 3 out of 5

Salva Mea - 10'47

Apparently, Dido got paid in a curry for her part in the vocals. Bet she doesn't work that cheap now. The song starts off ominously enough with a slow, orchestration backed by Dido's swirling lyrics, before that pizzicato sound once again kicks off the proceedings, building into a crescendo of drums, synths and bass. This is what good dance tunes should all be about. Hills and troughs, valleys and peaks. It's the epitome of all that is good in dance music.

A real classic. 5 out of 5

One Step Too Far feat. Dido - 3'25

I have to say, I'm not a massive fan of Dido's solo work. I find her vocals just a little too monotonous for them to really grab my attention and this track doesn't really make me change my mind. Taken from the Outrospective album, it sounds a little too like a glib Kylie pop tune for me. Not that there's anything wrong in that, it's just I'm not a huge fan of Kylie but, if you are, then you'll probably like this.

A dreary 2 out of 5 for me. Maybe an extra half point for Maxi's rap in the middle!

Bring My Family Back - 4'06

A lot of people have songs where, after listening it really turns them onto that artist. This is the song that really did it for me with Faithless. I was going through a difficult time in my life, and after listening to the lyrics for the first time, I could feel a lump in my throat. Still do sometimes. For a song to do that to old Mr StoneHeart here must be really special. And it is. It's a wonderfully arranged downtempo number, but it's Maxi and his heartfelt lyrics from the soul that really makes it standout. I'd to re-print the entire song here, but I'll just put a couple of my favourite lines:

"Momma finds it hard to smile
So I make her ten cups of coffee in her favourite style,
She says, child I'm working so there's nothing black
But you know I want my dad, I want my family back"

"There was a time when my walls were decorated,
And under my roof children were educated
But now, pains faded, windows are all smashed and crashed,
and the economy robbed me of my family"

It's an incredible tune. Rollo makes a comment, quite bitterly it seems, that this didn't get any radio play. I can understand why that view is held, as it's a beautiful piece of work and really deserves more recognition. Who says dance music can't be art?

Top tune. My favourite on the album and possibly my favourite track of any artist of all time. 6 out of 5.

Miss U Less, See U More - 3'34

This is the first track on the CD that I hadn't heard before and it was a pleasant surprise. It's an upbeat dance tune and it's probably the closest that Faithless have got to pure 'pop' music. Reading the sleeve notes didn't glean much info as it doesn't appear to be mentioned. So I can't tell you where it originally came from - perhaps it's one of the 2 brand new tracks trumpeted on the cover? I CAN tell you it's a nice tune - like I say, very 'poppy' but doesn't really suffer for that.

Not a bad inclusion. 3 out of 5

Tarantula - 6'39

Rollo freely admits to not knowing what this track is about at all. I would have to agree, but it's still a good tune.

"But I could be a devil to you, I could bite like a tarantula right through the skin
And leave my poison in"

He could be being rude but I'm not sure! Anyway, this reminds me of God is a DJ. Some of the sounds and chords that Sister Bliss creates are truly exceptional. They really bring a tremendous amount of atmosphere to the piece and it's an enjoyable track.

An eight legged, 4 out of 5.

Fatty Boo - 5'58

The second track I'd not heard of before and it's really rather good. It starts with a great reggae groove and Maxi's rap really blends in well with it. Apparently, the reggae beat is a sample from 'Is it because I'm black?' by Ken Boothe and fits perfectly. The chorus vocal is by The Hiites. I'm showing my musical ignorance here because I've not heard of Ken Boothe OR The Hiites! Oops. Nay' mind, it's a good tune.

Stirring stuff, 3 out of 5.

Reasons (Saturday Night) - 3'21

Yet another new track to me. This has got a really funky groove with a sample from 'Reasons to be Cheerful' by Ian Dury. Once again, Sister Bliss shows off her mixing talents by creating an eminently-upbeat, danceable tune.

A funkadelic 3 out 5.

Why Go feat. Estelle - 3'24

This is taken from the Sunday 8am album and on there it was sung by Boy George. It wasn't a bad tune by any standards and Boy George really gives it his all, but it has been remixed and re-vocaled for inclusion here. And what a superb job they've made of it. The original was rather slow and mournful, but this is much more upbeat with more soul to it. Estelle does a good job of the vocals and the arrangements are top class.

A remix-tastic 4 out of 5.

I Want More - 3'31

I'd just heard this track on the radio and although they never said who it was (why do they do that on the radio? It's so annoying), I could tell it was Faithless. Apparently it's got a Nina Simone sample on it but I couldn't make it out. Is it the "I want more" bit? Anyway. Another classic Faithless dance tune, with excellent beats, bass and synths from Blissy. It's songs like this that give me hope for the future of dance music (yes Mr Frog, I'm talking about you). My only criticism is that it's a little short - I'd like to hear an extended remix. Definitely a case of I Want More!

Once again they take dance music in a new direction. 4 out of 5.

Conclusion

Well, you can probably tell I like this album. If you've never heard of any of their music, this is an ideal introduction to the mercurial talents of Sister Bliss, Maxi Jazz and Rollo. There is probably only the one weak (ish) track on here and I personally would have substituted it for maybe 'Postcards' from the Sunday 8am album. But, ours is not to reason why and I'm grateful for all the other stand-out moments on the album.

If you think dance music is all about crazy frogs or Spice Girls, then you've really got to give this a try. This compilation is what real dance music is about. It's well written, superbly arranged and you can really feel the care, dedication and above-all, soul that's gone into the production. You can't really say that about that bloody stupid frog can you?

Like I mentioned, my daughter (with a little help from mum I'm guessing) bought it for me, but a quick scan on the internet reveals that it can be purchased from Amazon for £8.99. Damn, I'm not supposed to know how much it costs. 

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