Leftfield

Leftfield is a British electronic project from London, formed in 1989. The act begins as a duo of Neil Barnes and Paul Daley, and from 1989 to 2002 it operates in that format. Barnes later revives the name in 2010, while Daley does not take part in the reunion.

Style and significance

Leftfield is associated with electronic music, techno, electronica, house, downtempo, dub and dub techno. The group is known as an early force in IDM and progressive house, and as one of the first acts to combine house with dub and reggae. It also makes regular use of guest vocalists, a feature shared with acts such as The Chemical Brothers and Underworld.

Early releases and formation

Neil Barnes first works as a DJ at The Wag Club and also plays percussion. Around 1989, after being influenced by Afrika Bambaataa, he turns to electronic production. His first single, Not Forgotten, appears in 1990 on Rhythm King, followed by More Than I Know in 1991. Paul Daley contributes remixes of those tracks; at the time he works as a hairdresser and also plays with A Man Called Adam, and he has previously been a session musician for the Brand New Heavies and Primal Scream, appearing on the Dixie Narco EP. Barnes and Daley have already worked together as percussionists at The Sandals’ first club, Violets, before deciding to focus on Leftfield.

Leftism

Leftfield’s breakthrough comes in 1993 with Open Up, a collaboration with John Lydon. The debut album Leftism follows in 1995 and combines dub, breakbeat and techno. The album’s singles include Release the Pressure, featuring Earl 16 and Cheshire Cat, Song of Life, Open Up, Original, featuring Toni Halliday, and Afro-Left, featuring Djum Djum. Leftism is shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1995 and later appears in major Q magazine rankings, including a 1998 reader poll and a 2000 list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. It is re-released in 2000 with a bonus disc of remixes.

Rhythm and Stealth and later activity

In 1996, A Final Hit appears on the Trainspotting soundtrack. The second and final studio album, Rhythm and Stealth, is released in 1999 and reaches number one in the UK Albums Chart. It keeps a similar sound and includes contributions from Roots Manuva, Afrika Bambaataa and MC Cheshire Cat from Birmingham. The album is shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 2000. Its singles are Afrika Shox, Dusted and Swords. Phat Planet is used in Guinness’ 1999 Surfer advert.

Split, compilation and lineup

The group splits in 2002 and releases the greatest-hits compilation A Final Hit in 2005. Barnes restores the Leftfield name in 2010 and performs with a backing band and singers. The listed members are Paul Daley, Neil Barnes and Cheshire Cat, and the act releases music on Hard Hands.