ON THE TURNTABLE: Various – Heavenly Remixes 4: Andrew Weatherall Volume 2

ON THE TURNTABLE: Various - Heavenly Remixes 4: Andrew Weatherall Volume 2

Short, sharp and frank reviews from a confessed vinyl junkie. I’ll be posting my most loved records and most recent purchases right here for your perusal every week.

Today marks two years since we lost the legendary DJ, producer, musician and remix genius. I know the word ‘genius’ is thrown around a lot when someone dies, but I don’t use the word in a throwaway fashion here. The man really was a genius when it came to music.

Some people like music, others love it; Weatherall WAS it. Music seemed to engulf his life, and his passion for it was so obvious for all to see in the many interviews (most of which you can find online) he recorded. Much like a lot of people my age (I’m two weeks off 48 as I type), my introduction to Andrew Weatherall was the epic remix of ‘Hallelujah’ by Happy Mondays (Paul Oakenfold on said remix also joined him), which was basically a Mancunian hymn back in 89/90. It was EVERYTHING you needed in a song at the time; that piano, those nonsensical lyrics and the production was second to none.

I was fortunate to live in a time when mates would pass around ‘Rave tapes’ (hello Dawn AKA Tracy Barlow), and we’d all record them from one another. Andrew Weatherall was, of course, part of this scene and his mixtapes were monumental, as well as his own musical output with his many projects. Fast forward to ’91 and his production and remix skills on Primal Scream’s ‘Screamadelica’ were a whole different level. The man completely and utterly changed the game with that record, he opened the doors with the remix of ‘Hallelujah’, but the Scream album was a full-blown party (with the comedown included).

By the mid-90s, Weatherall was everywhere and rightly so, remixing for the likes of Björk, New Order and MBV whilst also creating his own stunning music with Sabres of Paradise and Two Lone Swordsmen. Andrew Weatherall had a great relationship with Heavenly Records, with whom he would remix many artists. The relationship lasted for many years, from the early 90s until his untimely death in 2020. The very recently released albums (Part one and two) cover a selection of over three decades of music, featuring classics as well as much harder to find gems.

These aren’t albums where you’ll find standout tracks or where you even have to mention the names of those featured (partly because Andrew Weatherall turned it into something completely different anyway); these are adventures in sound, from chilled-out bliss to bangin’ Techno and everything in between. You need these records in your life; if you’re a newbie, they will open the door to a whole new world. If you’re as old as me, then chances are you may already know. Either way, get involved.

R.I.P. The Chairman, the best there ever was.

Xsnoize Author
Sean Crossey 86 Articles
Seán is based in Manchester; his favourite artists include James Brown, MF Doom, The National, Bon Iver, Radiohead, Eric B & Rakim, Aretha Franklin, Serge Gainsbourg, John Lennon and Public Enemy. Sean has also been a promoter, DJ and a failed musician. Nowadays he resides in the Northern Quarter of Manchester and is a vinyl junkie, sneaker collector and MCFC fan.

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