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Ben Mynott On Fragile State's Remixes/classics
Ben Mynott has firmly established himself as a mainstay in the downtempo field and has built up a vast following through his work as a producer, DJ, radio presenter and through his fluidnation movement. fluidnation was born in 2004 after the split of media darlings fragile state, a production duo Ben formed with Neil Cowley two years prior, that scaled the heady heights of number 3 in the UK Dance album chart, and number 5 in the UK album chart with their critically acclaimed albums "The Facts and the Dreams" and "Voices From The Dustbowl"; a project furthermore that garnered Album Of The Year plaudits all over the place, including those from Big Chill co-founder Pete Lawrence and BBC London's Robert Elms.October's fluidnation saw a slight return for Fragile State, as Ben and Neil prepare for the release of their 'Remixes/Classics' album, and we asked Ben to give us a bit of the history behind this overdue release...
October's fluidnation must have been a rather special one for you, as it was the launch party for the Fragile State ‘Remixes/Classics' album, which was be released on October 22nd - would you care to tell us a bit more about the album?
Yes, it's very special. The album ‘Remixes/Classics' is a very special 3CD release. The two albums ‘The Facts and The Dreams' and ‘Voices From The Dustbowl' have now been deleted due to legal stuff, so those albums are part of this 3CD package, as disks 2 & 3 - The ‘Classics'. The first CD, ‘Remixes' features some unreleased tracks (listening back now, Neil and I have no idea why we didn't put them on the albums), some remixes we did as Fragile State, and then new remixes of our tracks from Future Loop Foundation, Ralph Myerz, Alucidnation, Digitonal, Jimpster and 4Hero - the results are astounding. We're chuffed to bits to be honest.
Whose idea was it to release a 'Remixes/Classics' album?
It was a collective decision between Neil, myself and the labels. Neil secured the rights to the back catalogue after another legal wrangle, and due to his patience and efforts, he pulled it off. Good work fella! We wanted to get the music back out there as they'd been sitting in a warehouse for the last 3 years, but didn't just want to re-release them. We wanted to give the record-buying public something a little bit more than that, so I asked some friends of mine to remix some of the tracks so we could present it beautifully as a 3CD package. The feedback has been amazing. So massive thanks to all involved.
Ownership of Bar De Lune (the label on which both previous Fragile State albums were released) has changed hands since yourself and Neil split up as Fragile State - was there much legal wrangling to be done in order to release the album, or was it a relatively straightforward procedure?
Yes. The ownership changed from Bar De Lune to a label that wasn't at all interested in the music. So after being owed yet more money, Neil swiftly made his move. We're delighted to have them back. Someone said listening to the new mixes and unreleased tracks "was like re-acquainting themselves with an old friend." We liked that quote.
Who did the artwork for the album?
The artwork was done by a very talented chap called Dan from The Design Farm. His website has been ‘under construction' since 1979!
When did you start commissioning the remixes?
It all happened very quickly. It was around the Big Chill Festival this year and just before, I started asking quite a few of my friends that I was looking forward to catching up with. The response was amazingly good. Only one artist said they couldn't due to his manic timetable, which I kind of knew already, but lived in hope!
How did you decide which artists to approach for remix duties?
Respect. The guys who have remixed the tracks are some of those who I totally respect in the industry. For example, Mark's Future Loop Foundation remix of ‘The Barney Fade' came about because, although being a top bloke, his album ‘Memories From A Fading Room' is my album of the year. I love his way of writing and so therefore approached him. I think for these sort of projects, you have to understand the people who you ask. You have to respect them as artists.
Were there any remixers you were desperate to get on board but couldn't because of budget/time constraints?
Yes. One. Not mentioning any names though, but at this rate, with his timetable, he wouldn't have been able to do it until this time next year. Which was a shame. But again, you've got to respect that these people are in-demand artists/producers.
Were artists approached with a specific track to remix in mind, or did you give the remixer's free choice over which tracks they tackled?
Half and half. Some said ‘yes, but can I do this track', whilst others were steered toward a certain track as Neil and I thought that they could do a great job on it.
Presumably, you and Neil have quite a few unreleased Fragile State tracks - how did you decide which ones to put on the CD?
Like the 2 albums, it was all about the overall feel of the album as a whole. So it was just a case of ploughing through the archives and seeing what worked.
Was it a strange process, going back over old Fragile State material?
It was. But I think it was easier listening to the new remixes having been detached from the songs for a while. If we had just done the tracks in the studio, they'd be really fresh in our heads, and it's tougher that way. You get used to how things should sound having heard the parts a million times over and over again. So, four or five years later - it was a much more enjoyable process for me. For both of us.
Were you and Neil tempted to tinker with any of the previously unreleased tracks, or do they appear as they were originally recorded?
All as originally recorded.
In 2004, when asked what was next for Fragile State, Neil said "A look at our marketing budget for promoting Fragile State. Then a look at Zero 7's…then suicide." This was shortly before the decision to end the Fragile State partnership…how big a part did cash play in the decision to wrap up Fragile State? Do you think you'd have continued working together if there had been a bigger budget, or was it simply time to move on?
I think it was definitely time to move on. I think what we achieved was phenomenal, and I'm immensely proud of it. We both are. I think Neil's comment came about because we were getting some amazing press and recognition, without ANY sort of budget. We both wondered what might have happened if we'd had one! Neil and I are still close friends, we had some hilarious times in the studio and out and about, but after the second album, I think we both knew that that was a good point to leave it at. The big shame was that shortly after the second album was released, the label went into administration. All that work seemed like it was for nothing, all of a sudden you couldn't get hold of the albums and we both lost an awful lot of money, which was sickening. But, saying that, retrospectively, it proved to be the catalyst for both of us to pursue other avenues and I certainly am happier now than I've ever been. I believe in fate. And both of us are immensely happy in our work now.
Do you think that there will be a Fragile State reunion at some point, or is this album a way of tying up any loose ends?
This ties up the loose ends. But we are hoping to see our band down at the Launch Party if we can track them down! It'd be nice to have a beer with them but they're busy boys!
What else can we expect at the launch party?
I'll be running through the album tracks, as well as playing my trademark fluidnation sound. There will also be DJ sets from Pete Lawrence, Mr Tom and Alucidnation whilst Myogenic will be providing us with the visuals. Lovely!
What can we expect from upcoming fluidnation nights?
I'm sorting out more guest appearances at the moment. We've had Urban Myth Club, Jon Hopkins, Digitonal and Pete Lawrence but to name a few and there'll be more pleasant surprises in the near future.
Besides fluidnation, what else are you working on at the moment?
I'm going to be starting a new project in the coming months, so we'll see how that goes. I'm also up to my neck with various bits like my radio show on Bournemouth's FIRE FM, a new compilation scheduled for next year, and I'll be doing another one for Australia. I'm also working closely with labels like Just Music, Exceptional Records, I-Label. And spreading the word about fluidnation - it's my baby! And I'm saving for my Wedding next year!
What have you been listening to lately?
Future Loop Foundation's "Memories from a Fading Room", the Fragile State Remixes (cos it's like hearing new material!), Cat Power "The Greatest", Hem (as always), bit of Marvin (as always). Also loving the Bombay Dub Orchestra album and the Joni Mitchell "Travelogue" album.
Finally….is there anything else we should know?
Yup. Keep checking my website www.fluidnation.com for new mixes and downloads.
As always, massive thanks to all at Big Chill and the Big Chillers for your continued support. x
Written: 20th Sep, 07
Read: 3486 times
