Otis Singleton
Do Androids Dream of Electric Beats is an album by the British musical outfit Unkle, often stylised as U.N.K.L.E or UNKLE. The album was initially released as a limited run of 300 copies for the Mo Wax label in the UK. It features a continuous loop of beats and samples, including clips from the Blade Runner theme by Vangelis and the Rolling Stones' Sympathy for the Devil. Unkle was founded in 1992 by James Lavelle and has since employed a variety of guest artists and producers, including DJ Shadow, Josh Homme, and Gavin Clark.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of release | 2002 |
| Genre | Trip hop, Abstract production, Electronic, Turntable, Techno, House |
| Format | CD |
| Number of CDs | 3 |
| Artists | Unkle, DJ Shadow, James Lavelle, Thom Yorke, Mark Hollis, Mike D, Ian Astbury, Josh Homme, Gavin Clark, Robert Del Naja, The Duke Spirit, Autolux, Neil Davidge, Pablo Clements, The Psychonauts, Michael Kiwanuka, K.U.D.O., Rich File, Jack Leonard, Matthew Puffett, Future Beat Alliance, Ysée, Mink, Elliott Power |
| Producers | James Lavelle, K.U.D.O., DJ Shadow, Rich File, Pablo Clements, Jack Leonard, Matthew Puffett, Future Beat Alliance |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Turntables |
| Composers | Unkle, James Lavelle, Charlie May |
| Record label | Mo wax |
| Number of copies | 500 initially, a few thousand in the second release |
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What You'll Learn
Unkle Sounds
Do Androids Dream of Electric Beats is similar to James Lavelle's FABRICLIVE.01. Of the 23 tracks on FABRICLIVE.01, 16 are on this release, and nearly all follow the same playing order. The album title is likely inspired by the 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick, which was the basis for the movie "Blade Runner".
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![By Philip K. Dick - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (2012-02-16) [Paperback]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51s+NVQ6atL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Unkle's collaborations
Unkle, the British musical outfit founded in 1992 by James Lavelle, has a rich history of collaborations with various artists throughout its existence. The group, originally categorised as trip-hop, has employed a multitude of guest artists and producers over the years, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving sound.
One of Unkle's notable early collaborations was with DJ Shadow (Josh Davis) on their debut album, "Psyence Fiction", released in 1998. This album showcased an impressive array of guest artists, including Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Mark Hollis of Talk Talk, and Mike D. "Psyence Fiction" received mixed critical responses, with some tracks becoming standouts, such as "Lonely Soul" and "Rabbit in Your Headlights".
Unkle continued to explore diverse collaborations, such as their work with Ian Astbury of The Cult on the track "Burn My Shadow" from the "Self Defence: Never, Never, Land Reconstructed and Bonus Beats" box set, released in 2006. Their third album, "War Stories" (2007), further exemplified their collaborative spirit, featuring guests like Josh Homme, Gavin Clark, Robert Del Naja, The Duke Spirit, Autolux, and Neil Davidge.
In 2008, Unkle released "More Stories", which included B-sides, remixes, and unreleased tracks from the "War Stories" sessions. This release also featured music composed for the film "Odyssey in Rome". The same year, they released their fourth album, "End Titles... Stories for Film", which showcased collaborations with Chris Goss, Black Mountain, Philip Sheppard, Dave Bateman, Joel Cadbury, and James Griffith (Lake Trout).
Unkle has also worked with Michael Kiwanuka on the track "On My Knees" for a companion album to the 2018 Netflix film "Roma". This track later appeared on their 2021 album, "Rōnin I". Additionally, Unkle has collaborated with various artists on singles, such as "God of Light (Original Game Soundtrack)" and "Cowboys or Indians", featuring Ysée, Mink, and Elliott Power.
Throughout their career, Unkle has showcased a penchant for collaborative endeavours, constantly evolving their sound and pushing creative boundaries. Their willingness to work with diverse artists has contributed to their unique and experimental approach to music.
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Trip hop and abstract production
Do Androids Dream of Electric Beats is an album by the British musical outfit Unkle, founded in 1992 by James Lavelle. Originally categorised as trip hop, the group once included producer DJ Shadow and has employed a variety of guest artists and producers. The album Do Androids Dream of Electric Beats is an outstanding release in the way of trip hop and abstract production. The collaboration of James Lavelle and DJ Shadow, along with other artists, is exceptional. The album was initially limited to 500 copies, but a second release was made, still under the 'for promotional use only' tag.
The album is a diverse mix of clips, beats and samples, some familiar and some new. It is an experimental and pure turntable escapism, an expressive collage of sound. It is not a tightly packaged album but one continuous loop. The CD entitled 'Shin' is the best closer to the slower fiction style. The other two are good but sometimes seem to be trying to match current DJ mix trends. Unkle is best in a slower psychedelic hip-hop style, and some of the album is close to traditional techno and house. It is still a diverse mix that most electronic fans will enjoy. The true standouts are the remixes of the original Unkle tracks.
Unkle is often stylised as U.N.K.L.E. or UNKLE, and occasionally known as UNKLE Sounds. The first release credited to the group was a remix for United Future Organization, included on their 1992 Loud Minority single. Lavelle drafted in DJ Shadow to work on the debut album, and essentially discarded all previously recorded material. Lavelle and Shadow released Psyence Fiction in 1998 to mixed critical response. The album included collaborations with Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mark Hollis (Talk Talk), and Mike D.
James Lavelle and DJ Shadow have also released solo efforts. Shadow's past solo efforts include creative beats and eclectic breaks. Lavelle's FABRICLIVE.01 is similar to Do Androids Dream of Electric Beats, with 16 of the 23 tracks on FABRICLIVE.01 also on this release, and nearly all following the same playing order.
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Remixes and original tracks
Do Androids Dream of Electric Beats? is a 2002 release by British musical outfit UNKLE (also known as U.N.K.L.E., UNKLE, and UNKLE Sounds). It was first recorded for a Japanese radio show called Radio Ape. The original pressing lacked a barcode and "CMB 50" catalogue number. The continuous mix includes samples from the ""Blade Runner" theme (Vangelis) to the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" and Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain".
The release is a collaboration between James Lavelle and DJ Shadow, along with other artists involved in the UNKLE Sounds project. It was initially limited to 500 copies, but a second release was made, this time with a barcode on the slipcase.
The album includes remixes of original UNKLE tracks such as "Lonely Soul", "Rabbit in Your Headlights", and "Nursery Rhyme". It also includes a mix of On My Knees, a track UNKLE collaborated on with Michael Kiwanuka for the 2018 film Roma.
In addition to remixes, UNKLE has released several albums with original tracks, including War Stories (2007), More Stories (2008), End Titles... Stories for Film (2008), and The Road: Part I (2017). These albums feature collaborations with various guest artists and producers.
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Unkle's live performances
Unkle, the British musical outfit founded in 1992 by James Lavelle, has had a dynamic history of live performances and collaborations. Originally categorised as trip-hop, the group has employed a variety of guest artists and producers over the years, showcasing their versatility and talent.
One of their notable live performances was in March when the Lazarides Gallery in London showcased "War Paint," an exhibition inspired by their album "War Stories." The event featured artworks from renowned artists such as Robert Del Naja, Warren du Preez, and Nick Thornton Jones. Unkle then embarked on a UK tour with Zoot Woman and artists from the French electro record label Ed Banger Records, including Sebastian and Mr. Flash. The concert was set across four acts and featured live performances from past Unkle contributors, including Badly Drawn Boy, Liela Moss, Gavin Clark, and Joel Cadbury.
In April 2011, Unkle headlined the Dance Stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. They presented a world-exclusive audio-visual DJ set, blending songs from their back catalogue with remixes of other artists' songs and their own original material. Performing under the name Unkle Sounds, they offered a unique experience to festival-goers.
Unkle has also explored diverse projects, such as composing music for video games. In February 2014, they released the "God of Light (Original Game Soundtrack)" single, which included songs featured in the God of Light game. Additionally, they have created music for films, with their single "Hold My Hand" and compositions for the film "Odyssey in Rome."
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Frequently asked questions
It is a 3-CD set by Unkle, originally released in the UK as a limited run of about 300 copies.
Unkle (stylised as U.N.K.L.E, UNKLE, or UNKLE Sounds) is a British musical outfit founded in 1992 by James Lavelle.
Unkle's music has been described as trip-hop, abstract house, and psychedelic hip-hop.
Unkle has collaborated with several artists, including Michael Kiwanuka, Josh Homme, Gavin Clark, Robert Del Naja, Ian Astbury, and DJ Shadow.
Unkle's albums include "Psyence Fiction", War Stories, End Titles... Stories for Film, and "The Road: Part I".
