Excursion on the Version

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Excursion on the Version
File:Excursion on the Version.jpg
Studio album by
Beats International
Released1991
StudioEsselle
Genre
Length49:13
LabelGo! Beat[1]
ProducerNorman Cook
Beats International chronology
Let Them Eat Bingo
(1990) 		Excursion on the Version
(1991)
Singles from Excursion on the Version
  1. "Echo Chamber"
    Released: 1991
  2. "The Sun Doesn't Shine"
    Released: 1991
  3. "In the Ghetto"
    Released: 1991
  4. "Change Your Mind"
    Released: 1992

Excursion on the Version is the second and final album by the English band Beats International, released in 1991.[2][3] The title refers to the reggae terminology for borrowing sounds and rhythms from existing songs to create new versions; Norman Cook adopted the phrase to describe his production methods.[4][5]

"In the Ghetto" peaked at No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart, the highest position of the album's three charting singles.[6] The band supported the album by embarking on a tour of Africa, after which they broke up.[7] The album was not initially released in South Africa, due to the country's human rights abuses.[8]

Production

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The album was produced by Norman Cook.[5] It was recorded in Brighton, England, at Esselle, Dyke Road.[8] The production of Excursion was influenced by ska, reggae, and dub.[9][10]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarHalf starFile:Star empty.svgFile:Star empty.svg[11]
Calgary HeraldC−[12]
Chicago TribuneStarStarHalf starFile:Star empty.svg[4]
Robert Christgau(choice cut)[13]
The Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svgFile:Star empty.svg[9]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album GuideStarStarHalf starFile:Star empty.svgFile:Star empty.svg[14]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarStarHalf starFile:Star empty.svg[15]

The Calgary Herald determined that "this is music for mall rats, for the beat(en) generation of feel-gooders who want reggae with none of the dirt of Trenchtown in its grooves, who want lines lifted from the Clash or MC5 with none of their nasty anger, who want a tribute tune to Al Green with none of that intrusive soul stuff."[12] Robert Christgau praised "Brand New Beat".[13]

The Times thought that "Cook indulges his latest passion for the dropped first and third beat... The experience is pleasant enough, but his songs lack clout and the lyrics are too literal."[16]

AllMusic wrote that "the music on this album isn't as explicitly derivative as that on the group's debut, Let Them Eat Bingo, but it's all generally derivative, especially of all-purpose ska and reggae grooves."[11] The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "ephemeral but fun," and concluded that Excursion on the Version's "most affecting selection is a fairly straightforward reading of 'In the Ghetto'."[15]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Brand New Beat"
4:00
2."Change Your Mind"Cook3:37
3."Love Is Green"
  • Cook
  • Noel
4:32
4."Echo Chamber"
  • Cook
  • Nelson
5:47
5."The Sun Doesn't Shine"Cook3:53
6."Herman"
  • Cook
  • Clark
  • Weekes
4:12
7."Three Foot Skank"
  • Cook
  • Wildski
  • Nelson
3:59
8."No More Mr Nice Guy"
  • Cook
  • Noel
  • Harris
  • Lewis
3:30
9."Eyes on the Prize"
  • Cook
  • Noel
4:16
10."Ten Long Years"Cook4:33
11."In the Ghetto"Davis4:00
12."Come Home"
  • Cook
  • Withers
3:27
Total length:49:13

Personnel

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Credits adapted from liner notes.

  • Norman Cook – production
  • Simon Thornton – engineering
  • Wayne Tracey – sleeve
  • Blackie – sleeve
  • Glen Luchford – photography

References

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