1995
West Coast rappers Luniz had a moment in 1995 with this playful weed-smoking anthem, I Got 5 On It, a million-seller in America that also reached No.3 in the UK singles chart.
Air came to fame with Sexy Boy in 1998 but made their debut three years earlier with this inventive piece of electronica on a compilation album for Source.
Garbage burst out of nowhere in 1995 with Supervixen – the powerful opening tune on the self-titled album that introduced us to the band formed by Nirvana producer Butch Vig and led by Shirley Manson.
I’ve never heard of this band and I’m sure you’ve never heard of them either. Listening now, I’m not sure why 99 Tales didn’t make a bigger name for themselves.
I wonder what genre, what category, Stereolab are put in in record shops. Come to that, I wonder whether there are still record shops; but if there are, where would their records be placed? (Apart from somewhere between Steps and Stereo MCs).
This is beyond meta: Teenage Fanclub, who directly inspired Yo La Tengo, a band famed for their outstanding cover versions, repaying the compliment by covering one of theirs in return.
Rewind to 1995 and here, with a little assistance from Boy George, is Lippy Lou with her ragga-rave crossover coming-out anthem Liberation.