The name Faithless needs little introduction. Back in my stupid teenage years, I snickered over earlier hits of theirs such as "Insomnia" and "God Is A DJ." It would be a while till I saw the error of my ways and realised that Faithless are seriously good musicians, after their album Outrospective was released.
What better way to celebrate their contribution to mainstream dance music by being the next artist to follow Satoshi Tomiie's Renaissance 3D release with one of their own: a compilation of three compact discs, each disc devoted to a particular 'venue' — we have 'Studio,' featuring the band's own remixes and productions, and therefore largely made up of their oeuvre in versions not familiar to many due to their rarity.
It also highlights their British roots — they name Tricky (alongside DJ and rapper-lyricist Maxi Jazz) as someone whose rapping style was 'distinctly' British. Film director Danny Boyle commissioned Faithless to write a track for his adaptation of (British novelist) Alex Garland's The Beach cementing their collaborative relationship (Boyle having used tracks from Faithless' album Reverence for his previous film A Life Less Ordinary).
It's difficult to name standout tracks on this disc, as they seem to be chosen for their personal significance for the band. Such tracks include "Sister Bliss" and (fellow Faithless producer) Rollo's remix of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love;" a remix of "Crazy English Summer" featuring the haunting vocals of Zoë Johnston who first came to the public's attention when Bent released the single "Swollen;" a film soundtrack exclusive ("Addictive" for Cruel Intentions); the main single from 1 Giant Leap, and a song penned by Sister Bliss and Rollo for his sister Dido ("Worthless") who was only paid a curry (according to the sleeve notes) for her guest vocalist duties with Faithless and went on to better things.
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