Wednesday 14 January 2009

Coldcut - Autumn Leaves 1993

BMG Records 74321171052


Coldcut are Jonathan More and Matt Black with vocals by Janis Alexander. So sayeth the credits. Taken from the forthcoming album Philosophy, which I never managed to get. It appears they recruited a top drawer vocalist and decided to produce some proper music. Those that shudder at the thought of a Coldcut joint, prepare for a surprise.

Autumn Leaves is a rework of the Nat King Cole classic performed wonderfully over an ambient orchestral and electronic backdrop. The atmosphere is spot on and the dub style ending is perfect. Unless I am mistaken, there are some extra lyrics at the beginning too. It is difficult to do this song justice with words though, I suggest you put Coldcut out of your mind. Download, unzip and press play, only then will you understand. I am not overly keen on the Nellee Hooper Mix personally because it pales against the original.

Janis even gets writing credits on Feeling Strong but unfortunately, on this Well Hung Parliament Mix, we only hear samples of her. Irresistible Force knock Autumn Leaves into a superb trippy portion of ambient dub that is well worth listening too.


  • Autumn Leaves (7" Version)
  • Autumn Leaves (Nellee Hooper Vocal Mix)
  • Feeling Strong (Leaving Home) The Well Hung Parliament Adventure
  • Autumn Leaves (Irresistible Force Mix Trip 2)
The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Coldcut Leaves.rar Filesize: 36.32 MB



Autumn Leaves
(Kosma & Mercer)
Autumn leaves fall and are swept out of sight,
The words that you said have come true.
Autumn leaves fall and are swept out of sight,
So is the memory of love that we knew.

The wind of forgetfullness blows them
Into the night of regret.
The song we so often did sing,
Is echoing echoing yet.

The falling leaves,
Drift by the window.
The autumn leaves of red and gold.
I see your lips,
The summer kisses,
The sunburned hands I used to hold.

Since you went away,
The days grow long,
And soon I'll hear cold winter song.
But I miss you most of all, my darling,
When autumn leaves start to fall.

5 comments:

  1. Hi!

    This is one of my tracks of 1993!
    I do think the lush original version is the best, but wished there was a proper extended version of it.
    I too, did not feel for the Hooper remix.
    As for the other two remixes, not too bad, but so lacking in vocals.

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  2. The Nellee mix had to grow on me, but I've learned to appreciate it. If you need the Philosophy CD, I can rip.

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  3. Wasn't there a legendary Full Chill mix by Mixmaster Morris on some promo that was 15 minutes long...or was it all a dream. I'd love to hear it if there was...
    thanks 4 this cheers hp

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  4. God, I hope you're right. As long as it has the full vocal in it still. I don't mind chilling on the vibe but I gotta have my sing-along too? ;-)

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  5. I just stumbled upon this video on YouTube. I don't remember Coldcut from the 90's. I must have been out of it to have missed this! I couldn't find any info on the singer who is very beautiful. Better late than never I guess. Song is very moving. I wish it were longer.

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