Description
Following XL Recordings honcho Richard Russellrsquos remix of lsquoBombrsquo a few weeks back, the Crass lsquoFeeding Of The Five Thousandrsquo remix project enters its next stage with a highenergy dancefloor deconstruction of lsquoGrsquos Songrsquo by New York DJ, producer and promoter Johnny Dynell. Well known for his 1983 cult hit lsquoJam Hotrsquo remixed and sampled many times over, most famously by Fatboy Slim and his group Beats International for lsquoDub Be Good To Mersquo in 1990, Dynell has had a long and illustrious career in music with his roots in the 70s Downtown No Wave artpunk scene. Dynellrsquos connection and friendship with Crass goes back to those days when the anarchist punk icons played their only US gigs in 1978 in New York. lsquoThe 12rdquo also includes a jarring, cutup experimental remix of the bandrsquos infamous lsquoBanned From The Roxyrsquo worked on by electronic composer and video artist Charles Webber who, apart from his own extensive compositions, has for many years collaborated closely with Crass vocalist Eve Libertine on such works as the chamber opera lsquoRoom of Worldsrsquo, an arrangement of Wilhelm Reichrsquos lsquoListen Little Manrsquo and the lsquoKernschmelzersquo series devised by Crass founder Penny Rimbaud.lsquoNormal Never Was 2rsquo is available digitally and on coloured blue vinyl with a limited pressing of 500 copies via Crass Records now working through One Little Independent Records.Late last year Crass took the step of making the original separate track stems of their seminal debut album lsquoThe Feeding of the Five Thousandrsquo available as a free download. With a call to take the original sixteen track recording in its premix state, the intent was for people to create their own remixes and interpretations and breathe fresh life and ideas into this revolutionary music. First released in 1978, lsquoThe Feeding of the Five Thousandrsquo preempted rap and grime in its hardonthebeat, fast fire, uncompromising lyrics and the iconic sounds and messages are ripe for reinterpretation. Crass encouraged people to rip apart the sound and ideas and create something new, then send the files to Crass Records for future releases and charitable projects. The message is DIY like it never was before. ldquoYours for the taking, yours for the making,rdquo Crass said. ldquoYou do it, wersquoll stew it. Mix it backwards, forwards and upside down. Turn up the heat and fix it with a downbeat, bring in the trumpets and let lsquoem blow, let the piper call the tune to let us all know. Itrsquos up to you to do what you like with it. The only limitation is your imagination.rdquoAll monies raised from the project will go to the charity lsquoRefugersquo httpwww.refuge.org.uk who statelsquoRefuge is incredibly grateful to Crass and their team for helping raise vital funds for Refuge. Since the start of lockdown, Refuge has seen a 66 rise in demand for its Helpline, and a 950 rise in visits to its Helpline website. This shows the sheer extent of the need for specialist domestic abuse services ndash not just during lockdown but beyond. Every penny raised helps us to ensure that no woman or child is turned away from safety.lsquoWhile lockdown itself doesnrsquot cause domestic abuse abuse happens all year round it does, of course, have the potential to aggravate preexisting abusive behaviours ndash and the data we have shows us the increase in the need for our services during lockdown. Refuge worked incredibly hard at the beginning of the pandemic to make sure our services remained open and remained safe. The generous donations we have received, including those from Crass, mean we can continue to provide the lifesaving and lifechanging services that women experiencing domestic abuse need and deserve.rsquo