1998 -1999

After the release of Brimful Of Asha in August ‘97, Norman Cook rang up asking to remix it. We released a limited DJ release of his remix in December. Nobody could have forseen the demand from the public and this resulted in the original track and Norman’s remix being re-released as a single in early February. It catapulted straight in at number 1! It also knocked Celine Dion off the top spot, much to the nation’s short-lived relief. “Brimful” has now sold over half a million copies...

Cornershop also earned an honourable mention at The Mercury Music Awards in September, along with fellow Asian artists Asian Dub Foundation. And were nominated for the Tip Sheet’s Album Of The Year award for “When I Was Born For The 7th Time” . Their last single from the album was released early in the year. “Candyman” featured remixes by Rob Swift of the X-Ecutioners, Schizoid Man and Uptight.

1998 was a year of reflection and re-organisation. Anjali, bis, Mucho Macho, Velocette and Whistler spent much of the year recording and/or playing domestic shows. After a storming performance at the best festival in the world in the summer (Benicassim in Spain) Velocette’s much underrated debut album “Fourfold Remedy” finally came out at the end of November.

Wiiija celebrated 10 years of existence with a party at the London School Of Economics in August. It was a good humoured affair and we saw all our old friends from other labels and other bands. There was only one fight all night.

bis finished their second album, “social dancing” which was produced by Andy Gill, who was once in agit-new wave band Gang Of Four. Their storming hit “eurodisco” was released in November and this was hailed as ‘Best International Single’ in early 1999 at an awards ceremony in Madrid, where the band played in front of 2,500 people. The band were asked to write the theme music to The Cartoon Network’s "Powerpuff Girls" which should still be featured on the Cartoon Network’s website. (www.cartoonnetwork.com).

Mucho Macho made a trip to the U.S. with Whistler to play South by South West. Tim was stunned to meet Masters At Work and DJ after Steve ‘ Silk’ Hurley. All this encouraged them to approach long time heroes Jon Lucien and Lyn Collins to guest vocal on their new tracks... you’ll have to wait and see what emerges from these collaborations later in 1999...

Anjali released two more great singles in 1998 and a CD featuring all her DJ-acclaimed releases will be released later in the year...

Whistler, after a successful trip to the U.S. and a residency at The Water Rats are to release an e.p. of cover versions in the summer, including a tribute to the great Dusty Springfield...

Wiiija signed Brassy, who’s first single ‘Bonus Beats’ attracted great support from fellow Mancunians Mark & Lard. They are currently working on their debut album.

As for Cornershop, they are now taking a break. You might have seen Nick playing drums for Natacha Atlas and Tjinder and Ben are working on their side project Clinton. Expect to see an album out on Hut Recordings before the end of 1999.