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From an electronic music perspective, the period 1992 to 1996 in the UK that this compilation celebrates, was one of dizzying sonic diversification. Future Jazzers, notorious experimentalists and outfield eccentrics stumbled onto the dancefloor. 

It was also a particularly turbulent time in the UK, not only politically and economically, but also culturally too. Economic catastrophe in ‘92 was followed by widespread poverty, a cost of living crisis and countless political scandals. Meanwhile, John Major’s Tory government pandered to its political base via unpleasant, authoritarian legislation that seemingly sought to crush rave culture, alternative lifestyles, and traveller communities. The UK was not so much a Happy Land – to quote the name of this compilation – as an angry and divided one. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Throughout, the music created by producers based across these Isles remained uniquely British, speeding up a process begun in the late 1980s through the emergence of street soul, bleep & bass and breakbeat hardcore – musical styles whose roots in multicultural inner-city communities made them distinctly different from the Black American sounds that had inspired their creators. It was here, rather than in the indie pubs of Camden, that real musical revolutions were taking place.

This deep diving selection brings together some truly adventurous and original electronic music from this period, much of it very hard to find. Major label outings connect with white label oddities with ease. Perhaps it could even be argued that many of these unearthed gems fit more easily into DJ sets in 2023 than they ever did at the time. 

This collection has been lovingly selected, compiled and mastered for maximum sonic playback. This very special release boasts sublime pastoral themed artwork, as well as informative and passionate liner notes by celebrated music scribe Matt Anniss (‘Join The Future’). — (via Label)

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Above Board is putting out a compilations of rare and hard-to-find UK electronic music from the early-to-mid-'90s. Happy Land: A Compendium Of Alternative Electronic Music From The British Isles 1992-1996 Vol. 1 This compilation feature tracks from Cabaret Voltaire, Matthew Herbert and Ultramarine, among others. 

According to Above Board, the compilations celebrate the dizzying sonic diversification that took place in the UK at this time against a backdrop of political turbulence and authoritarian legislation, which sought to crush rave culture, alternative lifestyles and traveller communities. 

The project takes its name from the Ultramarine track "Happy Land," released on their 1993 album United Kingdoms.The LP was a sardonic response to restrictions on civil liberties that were enacted in the '90s, most notably the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. — (via Resident Advisor)

Vinyl tracklist:
A1 Cabaret Voltaire – Soul Vine (70 Billion People)
A2 Ultramarine Feat. Robert Wyatt – Happy Land (Remix – Drummie Zeb)
B Thunderhead –    True Romance (Words By – Eden)
C1 Xeper – Carceres Ex Novum
C2 Matthew Herbert – Housewife
D1 Liquid Son –   Big Decision
D2 Syzygy – Meditation

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Label: Above Board Projects
Format: 2 x Vinyl, 12", Compilation
Released: 2023
Genre: Electronic
Style: Ambient House, Downtempo, Leftfield, Techno

File under: House // Electro // Techno
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