''Foxbase Alpha'' is the debut studio album by English band Saint Etienne, released on 16 September 1991 by

Heavenly Recordings Heavenly Recordings is a London-based independent record label founded by Jeff Barrett in 1990. Heavenly released the first albums from Saint Etienne (band), Saint Etienne, Beth Orton and Doves (band), Doves, and early singles by Manic Street P ...

. The album was recorded in a style which drew on the

club culture Clubbing (also known as club culture, related to raving) is the activity of visiting and gathering socially at nightclubs (discotheques, discos or just clubs) and festivals. That includes socializing, listening to music, dancing, drinking alcohol a ...

and

house music House is a music genre characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 beats per minute. It was created by Disc jockey, DJs and music producers from Chicago metropolitan area, Chicago' ...

of the time, but also incorporates the group's characteristic love of 1960s pop, with tracks also bridged by samples from films or by short songs. At the time of recording,

Sarah Cracknell Sarah Cracknell (born 12 April 1967) is an English singer-songwriter and lead singer of the electronic music band Saint Etienne. Career Cracknell's career started with the Windsor-based indie band The Worried Parachutes in 1982. Following the d ...

was not fully part of the group, and as a result she does not sing on "

Only Love Can Break Your Heart "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a song written by Canadian-American singer-songwriter, musician, and activist Neil Young. It has been covered by many bands. Genesis and recording The song is the third track on Neil Young's album ''After t ...

", which is sung by

Moira Lambert Moira Lambert is a British singer and recording artist. She is probably best known for her collaboration with the electronica group Saint Etienne on the Neil Young cover "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (which went Top 40 in the UK and to No 1 in ...

. ''Foxbase Alpha'' was on the short list of nominees for the 1992

Mercury Prize The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize, is an annual music prize awarded for the best album released in the United Kingdom by a British or Irish act. It was created by Jon Webster and Robert Chandler in association with the B ...

. It was accompanied by several successful singles, including " Nothing Can Stop Us". The album was also included in the book ''

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die ''1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'' is a musical reference book first published in 2005 by Universe Publishing. Part of the ''1001 Before You Die'' series, it compiles writings and information on albums chosen by a panel of music critics ...

''.

Songs

The album includes one of the group's best-known songs: a cover of

Neil Young Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian-American singer and songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, joining Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills, Richie Furay ...

's "

". The cover quite differs from the original in that the original's mostly major chord progression is turned here into mostly minor, which emphasises a more melancholic feel. It is also arranged in 4/4 (as opposed to the original's

waltz The waltz ( ), meaning "to roll or revolve") is a ballroom and folk dance, normally in triple ( time), performed primarily in closed position. History There are many references to a sliding or gliding dance that would evolve into the wa ...

time), with a driving piano-bass-drum section.

Andrew Weatherall Andrew James Weatherall (6 April 1963 – 17 February 2020) was an English musician, DJ, songwriter, producer and remixer. His career took him from being one of the key DJs in the acid house movement of the late 1980s to being a remixer of trac ...

later remixed the song to further emphasise the dub bassline; this remix was featured on both releases of the single and on the compilation ''

Casino Classics ''Casino Classics'' is a multi-CD remix compilation album by Saint Etienne. The first CD collects many of the remixes featured as B-sides on the band's singles from 1990 to 1995. The second contains rarer remixes (such as Underworld's remix of ...

'' (on American and European versions of the single, a Flowered Up remix is erroneously featured instead of the Andrew Weatherall mix). The follow-up single "Kiss and Make Up" was also a cover version, of a song written and originally recorded by

The Field Mice The Field Mice were an English indie rock band on the independent record label Sarah Records. They had top 20 success in both the singles and albums UK Independent Charts. Career The Field Mice initially formed as a duo from South London subur ...

Ian Catt Ian Catt is a British record producer and multi-instrumentalist associated with several popular indie groups, including Saint Etienne, with whom he has been a touring member. He has also collaborated with Saint Etienne's vocalist Sarah Cracknell ...

was the engineer/co-producer on both versions. "Carnt Sleep" is based on the ''Youthman riddim'', a backing track that reggae producer

Glen Brown Glenmore Lloyd Brown (1943 or 1944Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2013)Tough Times for Glen Brown", '' Jamaica Observer'', 15 July 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2014Larkin, Colin, ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', 1998, Virgin Books, . – 4 ...

has used on dozens of records since the late 1970s. "Wilson" is based on a loop of the intro to

Wilson Pickett Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter. A major figure in the development of soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, many of which crossed over to the ''Bill ...

's version of "

Hey Jude "Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as a non-album single in August 1968. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The single was the Beatles' first release o ...

" and spoken samples from a decimalisation training record. "Nothing Can Stop Us", one of the group's most famous singles, features a very prominent sample of

Dusty Springfield Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien (16 April 1939 – 2 March 1999), known professionally as Dusty Springfield, was an English singer. With her distinctive mezzo-soprano sound, she was a popular singer of blue-eyed soul, Pop music, p ...

's track, "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face" (from her 1967 album ''

Where Am I Going? ''Where Am I Going?'' is the third studio album by singer Dusty Springfield, released on Philips Records in the UK in 1967. By now, firmly established as one of the most popular singers in Britain, with several hits in America as well, Springfi ...

.'') Saint Etienne later recorded a version of "Nothing Can Stop Us" with vocals by

Kylie Minogue Kylie Ann Minogue (; born 28 May 1968) is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. She is the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, having sold over 80 million records worldwide. She has been recognised for reinve ...

. The dialogue heard in the track "Etienne Gonna Die" is from the movie ''

House of Games ''House of Games'' is a 1987 American neo-noir heist thriller film directed by David Mamet, his directorial debut. He also wrote the screenplay, based on a story he co-wrote with Jonathan Katz. The film's cast includes Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mant ...

''. Saint Etienne members have named OMD's '' Dazzle Ships'' as a prominent influence on the album.

Artwork

The young woman on the cover of ''Foxbase Alpha'', Celina Nash, was a member of the group Golden alongside Lucy Gillie and Candida Richardson; they released two singles ("Anglo American"/"Don't Destroy Me" in 1992, and "Wishful Thinking", written by

Jarvis Cocker Jarvis Branson Cocker (born 19 September 1963) is an English musician and radio presenter. As the founder, frontman, lyricist and only consistent member of the band Pulp, he became a figurehead of the Britpop genre of the mid-1990s. Following P ...

, in 1993) on Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs's Icerink Records label. Nash also appears in Saint Etienne's 1993 album ''

So Tough ''So Tough'' is the second studio album by British band Saint Etienne, released in 1993. It is their highest-charting album to date, reaching No. 7 on the UK Album Chart. ''So Tough'' is the first Saint Etienne album to feature Sarah Crackn ...

''; she is the waitress who can be heard on "Chicken Soup". She is also in the video for the

Pulp Pulp may refer to: * Pulp (fruit), the inner flesh of fruit Engineering * Dissolving pulp, highly purified cellulose used in fibre and film manufacture * Pulp (paper), the fibrous material used to make paper * Molded pulp, a packaging material * ...

song "

Babies An infant or baby is the very young offspring of human beings. ''Infant'' (from the Latin word ''infans'', meaning 'unable to speak' or 'speechless') is a formal or specialised synonym for the common term ''baby''. The terms may also be used to ...

Releases

US edition

The US version of the album, released in January 1992, adds two bonus tracks: a new version of "Kiss and Make Up", rerecorded with Cracknell, and a unique version of "People Get Real", which was released as a double 'A' side single with "

Join Our Club "Join Our Club" is a song by English musical group Saint Etienne, released by Heavenly Records in May 1992 as a double-A side with "People Get Real". Saint Etienne wrote the song after Heavenly Records refused to release "People Get Real" as a ...

" later the same year.

2009 Deluxe Edition

The album was re-released in May 2009 as part of the Universal Music Deluxe Edition re-issue program. The album has been remastered, and is accompanied by a second disc featuring B-sides, mixes and five previously unreleased tracks. The CD booklet features new sleeve notes by

Jon Savage Jon Savage (born Jonathan Malcolm Sage; 2 September 1953 in Paddington, London) is an English writer, broadcaster and music journalist, best known for his history of the Sex Pistols and punk music, ''England's Dreaming'', published in 1991. ...

and

Tom Ewing Thomas William Ewing (born September 19, 1935 in Atlanta, Illinois) is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives and the Illinois State House of Representatives. Ewing was a state representative from 1974 to 1991 ...

, images and memorabilia. Also released was a boxed-set version, which was limited to 1000 copies. In addition to the two CDs this package also included a 6"

Subbuteo Subbuteo ( ) is a tabletop football game in which players simulate association football by flicking miniature players with their fingers. The name is derived from the neo-Latin scientific name '' Falco subbuteo'' (a bird of prey commonly known a ...

figure and a replica ''Foxbase Alpha'' poster, as well as a set of four badges.

''Foxbase Beta''

In 2009, ''Foxbase Alpha'' was 're-produced' and remixed from the original multi-tracks by

Richard X Richard Philips, better known by his stage name Richard X, is a British songwriter and music producer. Gaining attention as a pioneer of the bootleg craze, Richard X has earned success as a producer and remixer. He has helmed hit singles for arti ...

. This new version was called ''Foxbase Beta'', and formed the basis of much of what was played during the band's May 2009 tour, which saw ''Foxbase Alpha'' played live in its entirety for the first time. ''Foxbase Beta'' was packaged with an additional CD titled ''Foxbase Extra'', featuring a commentary on the album by Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs and Richard X, and additional out-takes. A single disc version was sold at their 2009 shows and through

Rough Trade Records Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London, England. It was formed in 1976 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove. Having successfully promoted and sold records by punk rock and early post-pun ...

in London.

''25th Anniversary Edition''

Available for pre-order in 2016, the 25th Anniversary Edition shipped in 2017. The set included the original album pressed on two 12" vinyl records, a second 12" vinyl record entitled ''Remains of the Day'' with additional tracks not previously available on vinyl, and a 7" single of ''Kiss and Make Up'', featuring vocals by Moira Lambert. In addition to this, the special edition included a 12"x12" book, download code for the entire album in MP3 format, as well as reproductions of promotional material from the original release.

Track listing

1991 releases

2009 release

Personnel

The liner notes list the album's personnel as follows: * Saint Etienne – producer *

– engineer (at Catt Music, Mitcham) *

– vocals * Bob Stanley – Roland Jupiter 4,

Korg M1 The Korg M1 is a synthesizer and music workstation manufactured by Korg from 1988 to 1995. According to ''Sound on Sound'', it is one of the bestselling synthesizers, selling an estimated 250,000 units. Development Korg's chief engineer, Junichi ...

tambourine The tambourine is a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zills". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though ...

Pete Wiggs Peter Stewart Wiggs (born 15 May 1966) is an English musician and DJ from Reigate, Surrey. Saint Etienne Pete Wiggs is a member of the pop/dance group Saint Etienne (alongside Bob Stanley and Sarah Cracknell) for which he co-writes songs, pro ...

–

SCI Prophet 5 SCI may refer to: Companies * Service Corporation International, an American funeral service provider *Shipping Corporation of India *SCI Systems, merged into Sanmina Corporation, electronics manufacturing *SCi Games, a video game developer Org ...

, Emax sampler,

bongos Bongos ( es, bongó) are an Afro-Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of small open bottomed hand drums of different sizes. They are struck with both hands, most commonly in an eight-stroke pattern called ''martillo'' (hammer). The ...

– guitars, keyboard programming *

– vocals on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" * Harvey Williams – bass guitar on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" *

Pete Heller Pete Heller is an English electronic and house music producer from Brighton, England. Biography He is recognised in the dance community for his solo work, and his remixes with frequent collaborator Terry Farley. As a duo, they have rel ...

– additional programming on "Kiss and Make Up" * Bo Savage, Gazareth Sweeney, Uncle Vibes, Billy Nasty – The Inspirational Choir * Jeff Barrett – press *

Alan McGee Alan John McGee (born 29 September 1960) is a Scottish businessman and music industry executive. He has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger for ''The Guardian''. He co-founded the independent Creation Records label, r ...

– management * Joe Dilworth – photography * Anthony Sweeney – sleeve design * Paul the Tailor – suits * Andrew Wickham – spin bowler * Jerry Jaffe – American psyche * Kate Askey – long leg * Martin Kelly – the cage * Celina Nash – girl with sign * John Savage – liner notes

B-sides

from "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" * "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Version)" * "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (A Mix of Two Halves)" (Remixed by

) * "The Official Saint Etienne World Cup Theme" from "Kiss and Make Up" * "Sky's Dead" (7-inch version) * "Kiss and Make Up (Extended Version)" * "Sky's Dead" * "Kiss and Make Up (Midsummer Madness Mix)" (Remixed by

) * "Kiss and Make (Midsummer Dubness Mix)" (Remixed by Pete Heller) from "Nothing Can Stop Us" / "Speedwell" * "Speedwell" * "Speedwell (Flying Mix)" (Remixed by Dean Thatcher and Jagz) * "Speedwell (Project Mix)" (Remixed by Dean Thatcher and Jagz) * "Nothing Can Stop Us (Instrumental)" * "3D Tiger" * "Nothing Can Stop Us (Single Remix)" (Remixed by

Masters at Work Masters at Work is the American garage house production and remix team of "Little" Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez. The duo has produced music together under the names MAW, KenLou, Sole Fusion, Hardrive, and Nuyorican Soul. They have been r ...

) * "Nothing Can Stop Us (12" Remix)" (Remixed by Masters at Work) * "Nothing Can Stop Us (House Mix)" (Remixed by Masters at Work) * "Nothing Can Stop Us (Ken/Lou Dub)" (Remixed by Masters at Work) * "Nothing Can Stop Us (Masters at Work Dub)" from "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (re-release) * "Filthy" * "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Single Remix)" * "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (KenLou B–Boy Mix)" (Remixed by Masters at Work) * "Stoned to Say the Least (Album Version)" * "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (

Flowered Up Flowered Up were an English indie pop- alternative dance band, formed in Camden Town, London in 1989, active during the Baggy movement. Their 13-minute single " Weekender" reached the UK top 20. The band split up in 1994 amid drug problems. Fo ...

Remix)" * "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (

Dub)" * "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Single-Album Version)"

Charts

References

{{Authority control 1991 debut albums Saint Etienne (band) albums Heavenly Recordings albums Warner Records albums Trip hop albums by English artists