DJ ATHOME PRESENTS SPACED OUT

Musique Pour La Danse is proud to present SPACED OUT!, a compilation curated by Belgian artist and producer DJ Athome (Front de Cadeaux) which focuses on psychedelic dub, space rock, and early electronica created in the UK’s festival scene between 1986 and 1996, the result of a life long passion and 30 years of following artists from the festival scene.

It was a loosely organized British musical movement born in the early 80s and focused on free festivals in Stonehenge and other countercultural sites across the country. It represented a continuation of the psychedelic spirit of the 60s, with altered states of consciousness, dub production techniques, non-Western influences as well as instruments featuring heavily, along with a desire to side-step mainstream venues, labels, and attitudes.

Musically, it took on many forms, from mind-expanding space rock to third eye-opening electronica to shattering psychedelic dub. Visually, the zines, cassettes, LPs, and CDs created by this scene also displayed heavy influences from 60’s psychedelia, updated for the late 80s and early 90s.

In the 90s, the zines and cassettes reached the eyes and ears of DJ Athome, then a young DJ living in Liège. After meeting a group of like-minded individuals organizing local gigs which was single-handedly responsible for putting Liège on the map for many British bands, he dived headfirst into the sights and the sounds of this festival scene, gathering as many albums as possible and joining local collectives involved in the organization of events.

This compilation is in equal amounts an introduction for newcomers and a confirmation for those who already know that this was without a doubt one of the trippiest and most compelling psychedelic musical movements of the last decades, notable for its hybridity, its sincerity, and above all its wonderfully life-changing effects for listeners and performers alike.

The compilation is presented in 2LP format, along with a limited edition Riso printed scene which features a foreword by acclaimed philosopher Timothy Morton, along with liner notes by David Borsu, one of the key players of Liège’s musical collectives in the 90s and illustrations by designer Andrew Beltran.

A1 Eat Static – Kothluwalawa
The compilation opens with an ambient track by cult act Eat Static, composed of former members of the legendary Ozric Tentacles. Previously only available on Planet Dog’s iconic Feed Your Head compilation.

A2 Magic Mushroom Band – Aravinda
The band behind the very successful project Astralasia, here in its MMB configuration. Flutes, tables, and lysergic synthesizers for a very devotional cut.

A3 The Ullulators – Zulu Proons
One of the most representative bands from the festival scene, led by former Ozric member Gavin Griffiths, here with a trippy Middle Eastern-influenced track featuring synthesizers, drum machines, and trance-inducing singing.

B1 Ozric Tentacles – Secret Names
Without a doubt the most popular band from the festival scene, they played a huge role in the popularity of this music in the UK and beyond. Originally released on cassette, this tune remains a fan-favourite.

B2 Revolutionary Dub Warriors – Dread v1
This four-piece dub band was signed to On U Sound. This cut from their first EP, produced by Adrian Sherwood is a fine example of forward-thinking ,UK-produced dub rock.

B3 Junkwaffel – Substrata
Recorded by Ozric Tentacles’ Ed Wynne, this groovy B side on the only EP by one of the best-kept secrets of the later days festival scene is another catchy example of what happens when dub, funk and rock interact criss-cross.

C1 The Ullulators – Zulu Proons
One of the band’s heaviest and most psychedelic dub tracks that really showcases the talents of all its members, previously only available on cassette.

C2 Magic Mushroom Band – Squatter In The House
The iconic 12″ mix of one of MMB’s most irresistible tracks. Somewhere between Belgian New Beat and the Madchester sound, a sensual tune with female vocals and a compelling rhythm section, probably the compilation’s most danceable track.

C3 Ozric Tentacles – Sploosh!
A plodding track by the legends themselves, off the much acclaimed Strangeitude LP, featuring rock instruments in synths in equal measure, for a groove both heavy and trippy.

D1 Divine Soma Experience – Music Is Magic
A beautifully disorienting 12-minute mind-melter featuring acid melodies, time signature changes, and psychedelic samples released on DSE’s only album.

D2 Extremadura – Epsilon
Closing the compilation is this nearly 10 minute track by Zion Train / Universal Egg affiliates, blending dub, indigenous sounds, and electronics for a timeless result between earthy grooves and floaty melodies.