Fell From The Sun (Downtempo And After Hours 1990-91)

Saint Etienne had come together in the initial runs of acid house, a new wave of remixers and general taking in everything from dub explorations to getting a sense of what Balearic was; they remixed and were remixed themselves and would continue both paths for decades. On Fell From The Sun, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs aimed to give a particular portrait of that time and place in the UK with a focus on dawn of the 1990s songs at a slower pace, more 98 bpm rather than 120 or higher. It helps kicking off with one of the time’s most legendary efforts, the Orb’s deep echo transmogrification of Primal Scream’s already trippy “Higher Than The Sun,” and from there it’s a woozy and wonderful ramble through a pre-trip-hop space. Stanley and Wiggs contribute an edit of their own “Speedwell” alongside other notable names like One Dove and The Grid. Intriguing rarities make the compilation even richer, like “It Could Not Happen” from American ringers Critical Rhythm and the Aloof’s lengthy moodout “Never Get Out Of The Boat.” Stanley’s always helpful liner notes are some of his most exhaustive here, a fine complement.