Leftfield emerged from the same late-1980s primordial soup as some of the greatest British dance acts, including Orbital, Underworld, The Prodigy, and The Chemical Brothers. Electronic music was gaining momentum rapidly in mainstream culture, even featuring heavily in the seminal 1995 film Hackers, which contained at least three scenes with notable offerings from Leftfield. However, it’s important to note how unique the journey of each of these groups was in terms of eventually reaching a global audience and the sound they developed. Leftfield’s key moment in the journey was the shift from releasing 12-inch singles for DJs to creating their debut full-length album, Leftism. Find out how this legendary track was born and the role the Roland TB-303 played.
From Warehouse To Your House
The story of “Song of Life” began in 1992 with the song’s release as a 12-inch, CD single, and later a 12-inch remix EP containing two re-interpretations of the track by one of Cardiff’s finest electronic outfits, Underworld. Like all four of Leftfield’s 12-inch releases up until this point, the “Song of Life” remixes quickly found their way into the record bags of reputable DJs. These tastemakers included Sasha and John Digweed, who featured the group on the first-ever mix compilation for a new label helmed by the Renaissance night club in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Not only did Renaissance: The Mix Collection give artists like Leftfield a significant platform, but it also opened the floodgates for mixed DJ compilations that would sell like hotcakes in stores worldwide.
To make the transformational journey from DJ records to cohesive albums, Neil Barnes and Paul Daley expanded Leftield’s sonic scope. Drawing influences from their background in live percussion and love of dub music, the duo built a collection of songs that would become Leftism. There was a minor legal dispute with the Rhythm King record label that initially signed them. However, once released from their agreement, the duo was free to publish music under the Leftfield moniker again. And they did precisely that. Beginning with the single “Open Up,” featuring vocals from John Lydon, Leftfield went on to release their debut Leftism in early 1995.
"Drawing influences from their background in live percussion and love of dub music, the duo built a collection of songs that would become Leftism."
A Vision Re-imagined
Embedded in the album’s tracklist was an all-new version of the previously released single, “Song of Life.” This recreation provided the perfect platform for the Roland TB-303. While the earlier 12-inch release remains a groundbreaking dancefloor record, it didn’t feature the 303 at all. They did far more than throw an acid bassline into the mix for the new version. Instead, Leftfield took a far more tonal and musical approach to the instrument, unlocking the warmth and purity of the 303 sound without abusing that infamous filter resonance control.
A Segmented Arrangement
The album cut of “Song of Life” can be divided into two distinctive sections, almost like separate movements of an electronic sonata. Right from the jump, the TB-303 and the sampled vocals of Bulgarian folk singer Yanka Rupkina become the composition’s focus. Because the 303 has been sampled and played back at half speed, we can hear every detail of the masterful use of slide, accent, and delay that gives the track its pulsating, beating heart. Then, without much warning, a reggae drum fill rings out, and the “Song of Life” breaks into a stomping down-beat dub groove that awakens the senses immediately.
This majestic rhythm section carries us till around the song’s halfway mark, brilliantly punctuated with some minimalistic dub FX when the drums drop out. On this bouncy dub journey, we are finally introduced to the central theme. Comprised of a heavenly chord progression with the vocal soaring, the effect is bewildering. Although the chords continue to lull us into a false sense of security, there is anticipation. Once again, the TB-303 takes over, only running at full speed (130 BPM). In the context of the synth pads, the hypnotic repeating 303 pattern now induces euphoria, sending pulses racing.
"Even when more instruments join the party and the mix is at its fullest, the pure tone of the 303 punches right through."
Finally, this tension is released with a throbbing 909-style kick and a staggered bassline reinforcing the 303 groove. At this point, the elements in the track are predominantly electronic. Still, the organic feel of the rhythms at play allows the introduction of tribal drum loops to take the energy even higher. Even when more instruments join the party and the mix is at its fullest, the pure tone of the 303 punches right through. Also, each transition is purposefully understated, without an overload of filler sounds to choreograph the changes.
Not Just Another Bassline
If you had to try and demonstrate the potential of the TB-303 as an expressive instrument in a single piece of music, there couldn’t be a more straightforward example than “Song of Life.” Leftfield’s minimalist production approach allowed them to harness the famous acid box and create a sound that comes alive when combined with the other instruments. By combining sampling and generated patterns, they managed to create a sound that shifts effortlessly between the boundaries of genres. As a result, listeners continue to draw inspiration from these sounds, even decades later.
