VA ...And Still No Hits - The Story So Far (1997 Nation Records)

Back in the 90s, the world was a lovely place to be. People believed in multi-culti and exotic influences in music were always welcome. The success of Transglobal Underground helped to establish London's Nation Records as the major stable for Middle East inspired artists in the UK and worldwide. Although many of Nation artists had prety radical views, both political and religious (Asian Dub Foundation, Fun-Da-Mental), their music was the sound of any good tea room and coffee shop on both sides of Atlantic. However, after 9/11 the demand for anything from Middle East dropped drastically (except for oil, of course) and Nation Records experienced deep decline. Actually only two albums and two compilations were released after 2001.
...And Still No Hits is a 2CD compilation showcasing Nation Records at it's peak, a label with many commercially successful artists and great distribution deals. No matter if you're drum'n'bass, dub or techno fan, I'm sure you will find some tracks that will make you happy.

101 TransGlobal Underground-Temple Head
102 Natacha Atlas-Yalla Chant
103 Lunar Drive-Crying Looking For You
104 Xangbetos-Clicksong
105 Yam Yam-The Spectacle
106 TJ Rehmi-The Fusionist
107 Joi-E.S.Y. (Spring Heel Jack remix)
108 Asian Dub Foundation-Change a Gonna Come
109 Fun-Da-Mental-Dog Tribe
110 Prophets Of Da City-Muthaland Funk (Fun-Da-Mental mix)
111 Permanent Revolution-Cowboys and Indians (Logical mix)
112 Hustlers HC-Big Troubles in Little Asia
113 Schizoid Man-Break Voucher
114 Prophets Of Da City-Planet Capetown (Mitchells Plain mix)

201 TransGlobal Underground-International Times (Lionrock edit)
202 Natacha Atlas-Duden (Spooky Day Trip To Sousse)
203 Fun-Da-Mental-Race2War
204 Asian Dub Foundation-Jericho (Capa D.Dub)
205 Uzma-Yab Yum (Sabres Of Paradise Remix)
206 Phluide-Temple Of Hibiscus
207 Blue Bommer-Blue Bommer Dub
208 Loop Guru-Aphrodite's Shoe
209 Fun-Da-Mental-Mother India (Moody Boyz Strollin' Version)
210 Ambisonic-Helicopter Kinda Girl (Baby Fox To the End Of The Kingdom Mix)
211 TransGlobal Underground-Dopi
212 Natacha Atlas-Dub Yalil

mp3 I 320kbps I 147 minutes I 330mb I link in comments

Transglobal Underground - Interplanetary Meltdown (1995 Nation Records)

I've never been much of a fan to Transglobal Underground. Their crafty fusion of drum machine breaks, colourful soundscapes and vocals in exotic languages had little to do with real middle-eastern music. That's why I've picked this collection containing remixes of TGU hits by Lionrock, Dreadzone, Kris Needs, The Sabres Of Paradise, Drum Club, Youth as well as some TGU remixes and rarities.

mp3 I 320kbps I 75 minutes I 173mb I link in comments

Loop Guru - Duniya (The Intrinsic Passion Of Mysterious Joy) (1994 Nation Records)

Loop Guru were a crew led by world music expert Dave Muddyman. Duniya was their first album on Nation. While Loop Guru used the same creative process and resources as TGU, the results are much more convincing and their albums are pretty acceptable until today.

mp3 I 320kbps I 68 minutes I 157mb I link in comments

Natacha Atlas - Diaspora (1995 Nation Records)

The belgian singer Natacha Atlas was an important figure in the rise of Nation Records and her talent was often exploited by variety of non-Nation artists including Jah Wobble, Mick Karn, Jean-Michel Jarre, David Arnold, Danny Elfman, Nigel Kennedy, Nitin Sawhney and even Juno Reactor. The TGU-produced Diaspora was her first solo album and IMHO the best.

mp3 I 320kbps I 72 minutes I 165mb I link in comments