XL Recordings to Release History-Spanning Compilation
Venerated label XL Recordings will be releasing an expansive, two-disc compiliation album
Venerated label XL Recordings will be releasing an expansive, two-disc compiliation album documenting some of the historical, trailblazing music they’ve released. Over the years, the folks behind XL Recordings have worked with and helped build the careers of wildly-popular, award-winning artists such as Adele and indie icons like Jamie XX. Even Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and R&B/soul legend Gil Scott-Heron have been a part of XL’s movement and contributed to the long list of critically-beloved, popular artists who can count themselves as part of their cadre.
The compilation album will be entitled Pay Close Attention, and is set for release on August 25. A website has been launched in anticipation and celebration of the project, and can be viewed here. You can read what owner Richard Russell has to say about the album and run through the tracklist below.
XL Recordings is a collaborative endeavour, and many people have contributed to its evolution. In the song ‘Out Of Space’, Liam Howlett of The Prodigy provided a blueprint when he sampled Kool Keith of Ultramagnetic MC’s rapping these words: “Pay Close Attention”. And whilst XL has never had any outside ownership, Gil Scott-Heron advised me not to even consider XL an “independent”, because everything is connected.
Part 1 of this compilation are the roots of XL; underground music, made for DJs. These roots are still growing. Part 2 features some of the singular talents who have taken the label further than we ever envisioned. There is no unifying genre; hopefully the thread of originality is evident though.
The rave music XL first became known for was known as “hardcore”; that spirit continues.
To show our appreciation for your support, thank you DJs.
XL Recordings – Pay Close Attention (Tracklist)
Disc 1
1. SL2 – DJs Take Control
2. The Prodigy – Out Of Space
3. Awesome 3 – Don’t Go (Kicks Like A Mule Mix)
4. Liquid – Sweet Harmony
5. Jonny L – Piper
6. Roy Davis Jr. featuring Peven Everett – Gabriel (Live Garage Version)
7. Dem 2 – Destiny
8. Nu-Birth – Anytime
9. Basement Jaxx – Jump N’Shout
10. Dizzee Rascal – I Luv U
11. Wiley – Igloo
12. Various Production – Hater
13. Giggs – Talkin The Hardest
14. SBTRKT – Wildfire (featuring Little Dragon)
15. Jamie xx – All Under One Roof RavingDisc 2
1. The Prodigy – Firestarter
2. Peaches – Fuck The Pain Away
3. The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
4. Devendra Banhart – I Feel Just Like A Child
5. Ratatat – Seventeen Years
6. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
7. Thom Yorke – The Eraser
8. Gil Scott-Heron – New York Is Killing Me
9. Radiohead – Weird Fishes / Arpeggi
10. Tyler, The Creator – Yonkers
11. The Horrors – Sea Within A Sea
12. Jai Paul – BTSTU (demo)
13. Bobby Womack – Please Forgive My Heart
14. The xx – Angels
15. Sampha – Too Much
16. Vampire Weekend – Step
17. King Krule – Easy Easy
18. Adele – Rolling In The Deep
