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Unkle

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Not to be confused withUncle (disambiguation).

Unkle
Unkle performing at Somerset House in London in 2008
Unkle performing atSomerset Housein London in 2008
Background information
Also known as
  • Men from U.N.K.L.E. (1992–1994)
  • U.N.K.L.E. (1994–1998)
  • UNKLE Sounds
OriginLondon,England
Genres
Years active1992–present
Labels
MembersJames Lavelle
Past members
Websiteunkle

Unkle(often stylised asU.N.K.L.E.orUNKLE,occasionally known asUNKLE Sounds) is a British musical outfit founded in 1992 byJames Lavelle.Originally categorised astrip hop,the group once included producerDJ Shadowand have employed a variety of guest artists and producers.

History

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First incarnation (1992–1996)

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The first release credited to the 'Men from U.N.K.L.E' was a remix forUnited Future Organization,included on their 1992Loud Minoritysingle.[1]Lavelle and Goldsworthy were joined by Masayuki Kudo andToshio Nakanishiof the Japanesehip hopcrew Major Force (later Major Force West).

Second incarnation (1997–1999)

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Lavelle drafted inDJ Shadowto work on the debut album, and essentially discarded all previously recorded material. Lavelle and Shadow releasedPsyence Fictionin 1998 to a mixed critical response. The album included collaborations with an all-star lineup includingThom Yorke(Radiohead),Mark Hollis(Talk Talk),Mike D(Beastie Boys),Kool G Rap,Jason Newsted(Metallica),Badly Drawn BoyandRichard Ashcroft(The Verve). The album was mixed by Shadow's long-time collaborator, producerJim Abbiss.

Shadow left the group after touringPsyence Fictionand was replaced byturntablistgroup theScratch Perverts,who deconstructed the album and performed it live on turntables in 1999. Also in 1999, former producerRich Fileremixed the track "Unreal", adding vocals byIan Brown,and the resulting track was released as the singleBe There.

On 1 February 1999, Lavelle and the Scratch Perverts appeared on the Radio 1 programThe Breezeblock,utilising "5 turntables". The set was largely based on tracks fromPsyence Fiction,with some of them reworked live by Lavelle for the live performance. The Scratch Perverts' contribution consisted of scratching over the top of the Unkle tracks, a deconstructed version of "Be There", and some solo interludes.[2]

Third incarnation (2000–2007)

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In 2001, Lavelle and File resurfaced as Unklesounds, with a DJ mix created for Japanese radio entitledDo Androids Dream of Electric Beats?This highlighted a new, more electronic direction the group had taken, and featured a number of tracks fromPsyence Fiction,remixed in a techybreakbeatstyle.

Rich File co-produced, played and sang on the second album,Never, Never, Land,released in 2003. The album again featured a number of high-profile contributors, includingIan Brown,Josh Homme(Queens of the Stone Age),Robert Del Naja(Massive Attack) andMani(The Stone Roses,Primal Scream) among others.

Lavelle and File continued releasing mixes as Unklesounds. The mix albumEdit Music for a Film: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Reconstruction,featuring moviesamplesand tracks from film soundtracks, was created for the After Dark 2004 event at theICA London.A singleCDversion was handed out at the event, and it was released officially as an extended two disc set in 2005. The group recorded music for a short film titledThe Seeddirected byJoe HahnalongsideJohn DebneyandMike ShinodaofLinkin Park.[3]

In September 2006, Global Underground releasedSelf Defence: Never, Never, Land Reconstructed and Bonus Beats,a 4-CD box set of remixes and bonus tracks from theNever, Never, Landsessions, including tracks previously only available on the originalDVDrelease of the album. It also contained remixes of a track mooted for their next album, featuringIan AstburyofThe Cult,titled "Burn My Shadow".

War Stories,the third album from Unkle, was released in summer 2007. The album again featured a number of guests includingJosh Homme,Gavin Clark,Robert Del Naja,Ian Astbury,The Duke Spirit,AutoluxandNeil Davidge.Following the release of the single "Hold My Hand", Pablo Clements (of The Psychonauts) became an Unkle member.

Fourth incarnation (2008–present)

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In January 2008 Unkle releasedMore Stories,containing a mix ofB-sides,remixes, unreleasedWar Storiessession tracks, and music composed for the filmOdyssey in Rome.The same month, Rich File announced he was leaving Unkle after 10 years' collaboration to pursue work with his new band, We Fell to Earth.[4] In March the Lazarides Gallery inLondonshowcasedWar Paint,an exhibition of artworks inspired by the recent Unkle albumWar Stories,with works fromRobert Del Naja,Warren du Preez, Nick Thornton Jones, Will Bankhead andBen Drury.[5] Unkle began touring the UK withZoot Womanand Sebastian and Mr. Flash from the French electro record labelEd Banger Records.The concert, set across four acts, featured live performances from past Unkle contributors includingBadly Drawn Boy,Liela Moss fromThe Duke Spirit,Gavin Clarkand Joel Cadbury fromSouth.

Unkle's fourth full album titledEnd Titles... Stories for Filmwas released in July 2008.[6]It includes collaborations withChris Goss,Black Mountain,Philip Sheppard,Dave Bateman, Joel Cadbury, and James Griffith (Lake Trout). The album is described in the sleeve notes by Lavelle as "not a new album in the usual sense, but new music that has been inspired by the moving image." As such, it can be considered a companion piece both to War Stories but also to the earlier Unklesounds mix,Edit Music for a Film.

14 December 2008 saw the digital release ofEnd Titles... Redux,an album that was released the following day in a limited pressing of 3000 CDs available from official Unkle stores. This release features seven re-interpreted tracks from the albumEnd Titles... Stories for Filmplus 2 never-before-released tracks, "When Once It Was" and "A Perfect Storm". The exclusive package is a 6-panel soft-pack with a 12-page booklet with images byRobert Del Naja.

Upon the release of the single "Heavy Drug (Surrender Sounds Mix)"in August 2009, Unkle disclosed they had already begun recording their next studio album,Where Did the Night Fall,which was released in May 2010. This also included an all-star cast of performers including:Mark Lanegan,Nick Cave,The Black Angels,Sleepy Sun,andKatrina Ford,as well as ELLE J and Gavin Clark. The album is also available as a digital download from Unkle's site.

It was announced on 18 April 2011 that Unkle would headline the Dance Stage at theReading and Leeds Festivals.[7]They would be performing a world-exclusive audio-visual DJ set at the festivals, playing songs from their back catalogue alongside remixes of other artists' songs as well as Unkle's own material. They would be performing under the name Unkle Sounds.[8]

On 27 February 2014, the "God of Light (Original Game Soundtrack)" single was published on iTunes, with two songs from theGod of Lightgame by Playmous and EON.[9]The in-game credits list "Music composed by: UNKLE / James Lavelle /Charlie May."

On 15 July 2016 Unkle released the single "Cowboys or Indians", which featured artists Ysée, Mink, andElliott Power.Pitchforkreported Unkle would release an album that same year. In January 2017, Unkle announced the pending release of the albumThe Road: Part I,which will be preceded by the single "Sick Lullaby" to be released in mid February 2017.[10]It coincides with an exhibition at theLazaridesgallery in London.[11]

Unkle collaborated withMichael Kiwanukafor the track "On My Knees" for a companion album to the 2018 Netflix filmRomaand a new mix of this track later appeared on the 2021 albumRōnin I.

Members

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Current members

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Former members

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  • Tim Goldsworthy– production (1992–1996)
  • Toshio Nakanishi– production (1994–1996)
  • K.U.D.O. (Masayuki Kudo) – production (1994–1996)
  • DJ Shadow(Josh Davis) – production, turntables (1997–1999)
  • Rich File– vocals, guitar, production (1999–2008)[12]
  • Pablo Clements – production, instruments (2003–2011)
  • Jack Leonard – vocals, guitar, bass, production (2014–2018; session member 2018–2020)
  • Matthew Puffett(Future Beat Alliance) – keyboards (2016–2018; session member 2018–2020)

Current touring members

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  • Alex Thomas– drums (2015–present)
  • Liela Moss – vocals, keyboards (2016–present)
  • Steve Weston – engineering, keyboards, guitar, bass, visuals (2016–present)

Former touring members

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  • The Scratch Perverts(First Rate, Tony Vegas and Prime Cuts) – turntables, visuals (1999)
  • Bob Knight – drums (2003–2004)
  • Antony Genn– bass (2003–2004)
  • Rich Fownes– guitar (2007–2008)
  • James Griffith – bass, guitar, vocals (2007–2014)
  • Mike Lowry – drums (2007–2014)
  • Matt Pierce – keyboards (2007–2014)
  • Steven Young – bass, vocals (2010–2017)
  • Jack Leonard – vocals, guitar, bass, production (2018–2020; band member 2014–2018)
  • Matthew Puffett(Future Beat Alliance) – keyboards (2018–2020; band member 2016–2018)

Discography

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Main article:Unkle discography

Appearances

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Albums Appearances in media
  • Unkle's work has been played on BBC'sTop Gearon a regular basis since Season 2.
  • Unkle was featured in the music for the movieThe Seed.
Songs Appearances in media
Sunna- "I'm Not Trading(UNKLE - In Utero) "
  • Mix of Sunna track on "I'm Not Trading" Maxi-Single.
"Lonely Soul"
"The Healing"
  • Played on BBC Panorama -British Schools, Islamic Rules
"Reign"
"Glow"
  • Soundtrack for filmPush.
"Safe in Mind (Please Take This Gun from Out My Face)"
"Eye for an Eye"
Queens of the Stone Age– "No One Knows(UNKLE Remix) "
"Leap of Faith"
"Chemistry"
"Keys to the Kingdom"
"Price You Pay"
  • Played during a scene in filmDeception
"Restless"
"Burn My Shadow"
"Hold My Hand"
  • Soundtrack for film21
  • Soundtrack for filmTrance
"Mayday (featuringThe Duke Spirit) "
  • Soundtrack for video gameGrand Theft Auto IV
  • Soundtrack forMasterChefTV show
  • Soundtrack for surf documentaryA Fly in the Champagne
  • Played on BBC'sTop GearSeason, 15 Episode 3 - "Four Door Supercars"
"Broken (featuringGavin Clark) "
"Awake the Unkind"
"Heaven"
"Trouble in Paradise (Variation on a Theme)"
  • Background for the 2007BMWSee How It Feels television commercial
  • Theme forEuro 2008,football tournament.[14]
  • Played on BBC Panorama -British Schools, Islamic Rules
  • Played on BBC'sTop GearSeason, 14 Episode 3 - "Lancia's Seven Great Cars Tribute"
"With You in My Head (featuringThe Black Angels) "
"Ian Brown - F.E.A.R. (UNKLE Remix)"
  • Soundtrack for video game F1 2010 byCodemasters(Main Intro Theme and Developers Diary Trailers 1-5)
"Heavy Drug (Surrender Sounds Mix)"
  • Soundtrack forSkinsseries 4, episode 3 "Cook"
"The Answer"
"Synthetic Water"
"Unreal"
"When Things Explode"
"Money and Run (featuringNick Cave) "
"Lawless"
"Into the Light"
  • God of Light(Original Game Soundtrack)[15]
"Out of the Light"
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (feat.Keaton Henson) "
"Looking for the Rain (feat.Mark Lanegan,ESKA) "
Robert Plant- "The Enchanter (Unkle Reconstruction)" Appears inMighty ReArrangerremastered version

Tours

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  • 2008 Unkle Live – UK Tour Stories
  • 2008 Creamfields Buenos Aires, Argentina.

References

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  1. ^"United Future Organization - Loud Minority".Discogs.Retrieved5 April2018.
  2. ^"1999-02-01 - UNKLE vs Scratch Perverts - Breezeblock - Headline Set".MixesDB − The database for mixes.Retrieved5 April2018.
  3. ^The Seed (2008)IMDb
  4. ^"Noize Makes Enemies.co.uk - File leaves Unkle".noizemakesenemies.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 3 February 2009.Retrieved5 April2018.
  5. ^"War Paint at Lazarides Gallery"(PDF).lazinc.Retrieved5 April2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^"DJ James Lavelle/UNKLE | Shop the DJ James Lavelle/UNKLE Official Store".DJ James Lavelle/UNKLE | Shop the DJ James Lavelle/UNKLE Official Store.Retrieved5 April2018.
  7. ^"Leeds Festival News | News and Announcements for 2012".Leedsfestival. 24 April 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 23 March 2012.Retrieved28 April2012.
  8. ^"Leeds Festival Line Up | Official 2012 Line Up".Leedsfestival. Archived fromthe originalon 4 October 2011.Retrieved28 April2012.
  9. ^"God of Light is available for download today".Playmous.Retrieved7 January2015.
  10. ^"UNKLE and Keaton Henson release stunning new track 'Sick Lullaby' on vinyl".thevinylfactory.Retrieved28 January2017.
  11. ^"25 years of UNKLE traced in immersive exhibition".thevinylfactory.Retrieved28 January2017.
  12. ^"UNKLE emerge from retirement with new album".The Guardian.9 December 2008.Retrieved27 August2021.
  13. ^Bowe, Miles (31 March 2017)."UNKLE unveil new album The Road Pt. 1".Fact.Retrieved21 April2017.
  14. ^UNKLE to perform Euro 2008 themeBBC Press Office, 30 May 2008
  15. ^"God of Light (Original Game Soundtrack) - Single".iTunes.27 February 2014.Retrieved7 January2015.
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