Leftfield – Neil Barnes and Paul Daley – one of electronic music’s all time greatest acts – have announced the release of ‘Leftism 22’ a reissue of their seminal debut album ‘Leftism’ and a UK tour where Leftfield (now led solely by Neil Barnes) will perform the record in full.Leftfield was formed in 1989, before emerging publicly in 1990 with ‘Not Forgotten’, a song that established a template for a new strain of British house leaning away from American styles dominating UK clubs.

Released in January 1995, their debut album ‘Leftism’ remains one of the defining statements of dance music, a gloriously inter-woven bombardment of musical styles and immaculate grooves, nominated for a Mercury prize and later voted in the top ten greatest albums of all time by readers of Q magazine.

Leftism 22 arrives 22 years on from the release of the acclaimed original, in a remastered version overseen by Leftfield’s Neil Barnes and Paul Daley. It will be available in a limited edition 3xLP vinyl, mirroring the original release, as well as digital and 2xCD editions that will feature the original album remastered, as well as all 11 original tracks remixed by a host of artists, including Skream, Adrian Sherwood, BodyJack and Voiski, making 22 tracks in total.

“We came together in a quest to make the best record we could,” says Neil Barnes. “I remember all of the epic days in the studio, and I remember moments of satisfaction when we knew we’d nailed it. Tracks developed organically as we continually changed elements to make them work. It was an exhilarating experience, a special time.”

“There has been so much music and new genres since we made Leftfism,” continues Daley. “The baton has been passed on four or five generations but i like to think our record gave music and pop culture a little nudge at the time. It was part of a movement and musical revolution that came from a DIY mentality born from the technology available. The album is like part of me that represents my youth and energy of a more innocent and quite different time both socially and musically. When I listen to it now i think: yeah, nice one, that was definitely worth all the effort and late nights.” 

“Paul and I really worked well together,” says Barnes. “We each respected the other’s opinion. It was all about the music. And now, I’ve come to enjoy it again. I appreciate that it means a lot to so many people. I’m really honoured and often deeply moved by all the amazing things that people say about the record. Having Matt Colton re-master the album was a real pleasure, and I realised that Paul and I had created something really special.”

To mark the release of Leftism 22, Leftfield will perform Leftism live in its entirety for the first time, including a return to Brixton Academy. Fans can access tickets early through the presale, starting at 9am Wednesday 22^nd February at leftfieldmusic.com. Leftfield will also perform at Camp Bestival, closing the festival on 30 July.

LEFTISM 22 TOUR 

11 May – Bristol, Motion

12 May – London, O2 Academy Brixton

19 May – Birmingham, O2 Institute

20 May – Manchester, O2 Apollo

26 May – Glasgow, Barrowlands

 

Leftism 22 is available to download and buy from 5 May via Sony CG.