As we step back in time once again Jamie digs deep into the crates with the AWOL: A Way of Life album
Way back in 1995 before the countless rehashes of 80’s and 90’s dance music, Ministry of Sound was releasing credible music compilations. Supporting the likes of Boy George, Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold during the house music explosion of the early 90’s, the label back then stood for quality dance music and assisted in the global takeover of british dance music. Ministry of Sound as a nightclub was also one of London’s most popular nightclubs, features a state of the art digital sound system and was the first to receive a 24 hour drinks license in the UK.
AWOL A Way of Life Live, was released initially as a vinyl promo in 1994, my assumption is that this was before the event was recorded although the DJs selection would have then been pre planned. The included promo slip certainly doesn’t give any clue as to the date of the recording.
Included in the double A side were Aphrodites ‘Mash Up Yer Know’, Pascal’s ‘P Funk’ and Kenny Ken’s ‘Pied Piper’. These were all labeled as AWOL ‘VIP’ mixes and were later featured on the full release which came out in 1995 on single cassette, CD, and triple vinyl LP.
Veterans of the jungle scene will no doubt remember GQ’s legendary request for “some noise” or the time stretched vocal sample from DJ Biggs ‘The Hunter’ “Jeeeeeeesus Christ”.
Darren Jay, Randall, Kenny Ken, Dr S. Gachet and Mickey Finn all featured on the cassette and CD playing 3 tunes each to the crowd accompanied by GQ and Fearless who, at the time, were in the middle of their feud with each other and apparently stood at either end of the stage all evening. You can read more about that in my recent interview with Fearless here.
Much speculation is rife in respect of the crowd noise and although Fearless has confirmed from his point of view on the night the crowd noise was real, people are still divided as to whether this was added in after the recording. From a listener’s point of view it’s certainly louder than your average event recording, even by the standards of the over 14’s event Evolution where every single person in the crowd would constantly blow a whistle. Regardless of rumours and speculation though the crowd noise, added or not, provided that extra special touch to the CD.
What really stands out on the live recording is Micky Finn and his last 3 tunes, it was probably around when Micky was the DJ to book and if you saw his name on a flyer you were guaranteed to hear a totally unique set. This isn’t to say any of the other DJs selection wasn’t up to AWOL standard, it was as if Ministry of Sound saved the best till last. Reload after reload and he only played 3 tracks!
The triple vinyl LP is certainly worth collecting, all the tracks are unmixed and of reasonable volume. Currently are for sale on Discogs ranging from £45 to £75 although I have seen it go for less in the past.
If you own a copy of this album and are in the market for selling the CD has a maximum sale price on Discogs of £28 although I managed to pick up a mint copy on eBay for £8 recently so be wary of what you ask for.