Future Sound of London – Cascade (Virgin)

‘Cascade’ certainly represents a turning point in the career of Brian Dougans & Gary Cobain. In the years leading up to this 35-minute single they had experimented in numerous styles under a variety of pseudonyms. One of these, ‘Papua New Guinea’ released as Future Sound of London caught not only the imagination of the clubbing populous but also that of Virgin Records. So it was with some anticipation that ‘Cascade’ was released in 1993. Anticipation that is, mixed with a sizeable dose of bewilderment as other FSOL projects that year included remixes ranging from Inner City and the Shamen to the more extreme Bryan Ferry and Prefab Sprout.

When it finally appeared, ‘Cascade’ (parts 1-5) sounded nothing like what you might expect from a major-label follow-up to ‘Papua New Guinea’. The trancey backbeat, atmospheric ecstatic vocals and dub-thumpy basslines were pushed aside for Dougans and Cobain to present their most idiosyncratic, memorable and direction-defining work to date. All this and a tune you could hum! Heralding the arrival of the Lifeforms LP, five versions of the track made an album-length single (complete with longform video) that combined catchy, upbeat techno stabs with FSOL's trademark organic rumbling soundscapes. Listen to ‘Cascade’ to hear everything you need to know about Future Sound of London.