Propellerheads - Decksandrumsandrockandroll

Year Released: 1998

Genre: Big Beat, Breakbeat, Trip Hop, Electronica

Description:

Decksandrumsandrockandroll is the only studio album by the English electronic music duo Propellerheads, consisting of Alex Gifford and Will White. Released on January 26, 1998, the album is a landmark of the "big beat" genre, a style of electronic music that fused breakbeats, funk, jazz, and rock samples with a high-energy, dancefloor-friendly sound. The album title itself is a perfect encapsulation of their sound, a blend of turntables, live drumming, and rock and roll attitude.

The album's sound is a powerful and cinematic fusion of genres, heavily influenced by 1960s spy film soundtracks, jazz, and funk. The production is characterized by its use of big, booming breakbeats, funky basslines, and layered samples. The duo's arrangements are often complex and dynamic, building from a simple groove to a full-blown orchestral or rock crescendo.

Decksandrumsandrockandroll is famous for its star-studded collaborations and its use in popular media. The album features the iconic and soulful "History Repeating," which features an incredible vocal performance from legendary singer Shirley Bassey. The track, with its Bond-esque orchestral flourishes, became an instant classic. Another key track is "Spybreak!", a high-energy, funk-infused instrumental that gained massive international exposure after being featured in the "lobby scene" of the 1999 sci-fi blockbuster film, The Matrix. The album also features a number of tracks with hip-hop icons, including "You Want It Back" with the Jungle Brothers and "360° (Oh Yeah?)" with De La Soul, showcasing the duo's deep roots in hip-hop culture.

The album was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number six on the UK Albums Chart and earning a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. While the duo never released another studio album, Decksandrumsandrockandroll remains a beloved and influential work, a key document of the big beat genre, and a testament to the power of a single, well-crafted record.