This Is Big Audio Dynamite is the debut studio album by English band Big Audio Dynamite, led by Mick Jones, formerly guitarist and vocalist of the Clash. Released in 1985, the album reached number 27 on the UK Albums Chart and number 103 on the Billboard 200.
The record spawned three singles: The Bottom Line, E=MC² - my personal favourite that reached the Top 20 - and Medicine Show. Interestingly, the video for Medicine Show featured two other former members of the Clash (Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon) and also John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols.
A remastered Legacy Edition of this record was released on CD in 2010 and contained a second disc composed of alternate mixes. In 2016, the excellent reissue label Intervention Records reissued the album on 180-gram vinyl. That's the version I have and it is absolutely wonderful. I have never heard a better pressing of this recording and the vinyl is clean and quiet. The artwork is beautiful, too. Overall, the attention to detail on Intervention's part is top notch, reminiscent of what Run Out Groove is doing, and it's really great to have another audiophile label reissuing classic records such as this. The only thing with Intervention is that they seem to have stalled, at least as far as vinyl goes. Not much happening in that regard in the last couple of years, although there is some significant SACD action. I'd like to see the label issue more records of this quality, and I hope they get back to it.
This album's cover depicts most of the band dressed in cowboy clothing. Keyboardist Dan Donovan isn't in the photo because he took it.
Big Audio Dynamite were formed in London in 1984 by Jones, who was the only constant member throughout the band's various incarnations. The band mixed punk, rock, dance music, hip hop, reggae, and funk into a unique sound that was unlike anything being released at the time.
Still is.
When I first heard this record I loved it!
Jones, who was fired from the Clash in 1983, had formed a new band called Top Risk Action Company (TRAC), recruiting bassist Leo Williams, saxophonist John Lennard and former Clash drummer Nicky Headon, who didn't last long due to a serious heroin addiction. Lennard was later either fired or left (depending who you ask) and the band was soon no more.
Jones then formed Big Audio Dynamite with film director Don Letts, bassist Leo Williams (from TRAC), drummer Greg Roberts and keyboardist Dan Donovan. This Is Big Audio Dynamite followed shortly thereafter.
No. 10 Upping St. was next, released in 1986, and reunited Jones with former Clash vocalist Joe Strummer, who co-produced the album and co-wrote five of the songs that appeared on the album. In 1990, this original line-up wrote and recorded the song Free for the soundtrack to the adventure comedy film Flashback, which was the final song credited to and played by the original line-up. The Bottom Line, which closes out side one of this record, was remixed and used as the title track for Flashback. The song was, however, not included on the soundtrack for some reason, although it can be found as a 12" in many used record stores today.
I love this record! There isn't a bad track anywhere and if you can get a copy of the Intervention Records re-issue I highly recommend you do so. There will never be a better sounding version of this record. It is …
This Is Big Audio Dynamite is the debut studio album by English band Big Audio Dynamite, led by Mick Jones, formerly guitarist and vocalist of the Clash. Released in 1985, the album reached number 27 on the UK Albums Chart and number 103 on the Billboard 200.
The record spawned three singles: The Bottom Line, E=MC² - my personal favourite that reached the Top 20 - and Medicine Show. Interestingly, the video for Medicine Show featured two other former members of the Clash (Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon) and also John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols.
A remastered Legacy Edition of this record was released on CD in 2010 and contained a second disc composed of alternate mixes. In 2016, the excellent reissue label Intervention Records reissued the album on 180-gram vinyl. That's the version I have and it is absolutely wonderful. I have never heard a better pressing of this recording and the vinyl is clean and quiet. The artwork is beautiful, too. Overall, the attention to detail on Intervention's part is top notch, reminiscent of what Run Out Groove is doing, and it's really great to have another audiophile label reissuing classic records such as this. The only thing with Intervention is that they seem to have stalled, at least as far as vinyl goes. Not much happening in that regard in the last couple of years, although there is some significant SACD action. I'd like to see the label issue more records of this quality, and I hope they get back to it.
This album's cover depicts most of the band dressed in cowboy clothing. Keyboardist Dan Donovan isn't in the photo because he took it.
Big Audio Dynamite were formed in London in 1984 by Jones, who was the only constant member throughout the band's various incarnations. The band mixed punk, rock, dance music, hip hop, reggae, and funk into a unique sound that was unlike anything being released at the time.
Still is.
When I first heard this record I loved it!
Jones, who was fired from the Clash in 1983, had formed a new band called Top Risk Action Company (TRAC), recruiting bassist Leo Williams, saxophonist John Lennard and former Clash drummer Nicky Headon, who didn't last long due to a serious heroin addiction. Lennard was later either fired or left (depending who you ask) and the band was soon no more.
Jones then formed Big Audio Dynamite with film director Don Letts, bassist Leo Williams (from TRAC), drummer Greg Roberts and keyboardist Dan Donovan. This Is Big Audio Dynamite followed shortly thereafter.
No. 10 Upping St. was next, released in 1986, and reunited Jones with former Clash vocalist Joe Strummer, who co-produced the album and co-wrote five of the songs that appeared on the album. In 1990, this original line-up wrote and recorded the song Free for the soundtrack to the adventure comedy film Flashback, which was the final song credited to and played by the original line-up. The Bottom Line, which closes out side one of this record, was remixed and used as the title track for Flashback. The song was, however, not included on the soundtrack for some reason, although it can be found as a 12" in many used record stores today.
I love this record! There isn't a bad track anywhere and if you can get a copy of the Intervention Records re-issue I highly recommend you do so. There will never be a better sounding version of this record. It is …
BONUS TRACK
E=MC2
LYRICS
Somebody I never met
But in a way I know
Didn't think that you could get
So much from a picture show
Man dies first reel
People ask what's the deal?
This ain't how it's supposed to be
Don't like no aborigine
Took a trip in Powis Square
Pop star dyed his hair
No fans to scream and shout
When mobsters came to flush him out
Gangland slaying underground
New identity must be found
On the left bank for a while
Insanity Bohemian style
Chorus: Ritual ideas relativity
Only buildings no people prophecy
Time slide place to hide nudge reality
Foresight minds wide magic imagery, oh oh
Met a dwarf that was no good
Dressed like little Red Riding Hood
Bad habit taking life
A calling card a six inch knife
Ran off really fast
Mumbled something 'bout the past
Best sex I've ever seen
As if each moment was the last
Drops of blood colour slide
Funeral for his bride
But it's him who's really dead
Gets to take the funeral ride
Chorus
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Space guy fell from the sky
Scratched my head and wondered why
Time slide into time
Across international dateline
Scientist eats bubblegum
Hall of fame baseball
Senators a Hoodlum
Big chiefs in the hall
Chorus
Stray thoughts fear to tread
Placed upon the screen instead
She's my flame too hot to hold
Had to settle for her cold
Blood lust, Greek god, gold discovery
Gone bust, tight wad, slow recovery
Axe job, flame thrower, iron bar and gun
Betting shop, new owner, a walk in the sun
Chorus
Spread the news the Maestro's back
With a beat box soundtrack
The King of brains, Queen of the sack'
Executives have heart attack
It's assault course celluloid
The money makers would avoid
Sometimes notions get reversed
Center of the universe
Chorus
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
