Stakker Humanoid

Stakker Humanoid is an 1988 track by Humanoid released in 1988 on the London-based label Westside Records. It has been described by The Guardian as "the first truly credible UK acid techno record to break into the mainstream."[1]

"Stakker Humanoid"
Single by Humanoid
from the album Global
B-side'"Stakker Humanoid (The Omen Mix)"'
Released1988, 1992, 2001, 2007
RecordedDance Studios, Ealing London
LabelWestside Records
Rephlex
Songwriter(s)Brian Dougans
Producer(s)Brian Dougans
John Laker
The Future Sound of London singles chronology
"Stakker Humanoid"
(1988)		 "Slam"
(1989)

History of the track

The project behind the track started out with Stakker, a collaborative project by the video artists Mark McClean and Colin Scott. They needed music to support their video and contacted Brian Dougans. They sent a demo video tape containing graphics and some music to Morgan Khan who (although he didn't appreciate the video) invited Brian Dougans to record two demos at his Dance Studios in Ealing London. The sample “Humanoid”, taken from the videogame Berzerk, provided the name of the track.

The track was originally called “Humanoid” to be put out by Stakker through Morgan Khan's label Westside Records, though Morgan released it as “Stakker Humanoid” by “Humanoid” to avoid copyright issues. A dispute had arisen between Brian Dougans and Colin Scott / Mark McClean and before the record was in the shops, Stakker and Brian Dougans split, ending their working relationship which had lasted just over a year. However Mark McClean and Brian Dougans were to continue working together on The Future Sound of London project.[2][3]

The track was a hit not just at influential clubs like Shoom in London, but was championed by mainstream stalwarts like Radio DJ Bruno Brookes and Kylie and Jason producer Pete Waterman. It went on to reach number 17 in the UK charts in November 1988, leading to Dougans' appearance on Top of the Pops on 1 December 1988.[1] In 2011, Noel Gallagher said of the track:

"What a fucking tune Stakker Humanoid is! I didn't realise it was them (Future Sound of London) until we were about halfway through recording. Someone mentioned that track halfway through recording [his collaborative album with Amorphous Androgynous] and I was like, 'You're fucking joking … shut up … get the fuck out of here!' I had to stop and give them a hug. I used to love that tune!"[1]

Mixes

The soundtrack for the 1989 release Eurotechno (originally written by Brian Dougans) was remixed and overdubbed with new sections added by Colin Scott and Simon Monday in the digital studio that Colin Scott and Mark McClean had set up in the Goldcrest building in Great Pultney Street in Soho. This soundtrack is on the Eurotechno video and on the CD later released by Rephlex Records.

Track listings

Original 12" and CD release
  1. A1 - Stakker Humanoid (4:59)
  2. A2 - Stakker Humanoid (Radio Edit) (3:40)
  3. B - Stakker Humanoid (The Omen Mix) (7:50)

Original 7" release
  1. A - Stakker Humanoid (3:40)
  2. B - Stakker Humanoid (Part 2) (4:40)

Stakker Humanoid '92
  1. Stakker Humanoid (7" Original) (3:40)
  2. Stakker Humanoid (Smart Systems Remix) (4:52)
    • Remix - Smart Systems
  3. Stakker Humanoid (Gary Cobain '94 Mix) (5:41)
    • Remix - Garry Cobain
  4. Stakker Humanoid (Omen Mix) (7:36)
  5. Stakker Humanoid (303 Tribe) (5:31)
    • Remix - Future Sound Of London, The
  6. Stakker Humanoid (Outer Limits) (4:51)
    • Remix - Future Sound Of London, The
  7. Stakker Humanoid (12" Original) (4:55)
  8. Stakker Humanoid (Dub Drums) (2:43)
    • Remix - Future Sound Of London, The

Chart positions
Year Single Chart Position
1988 "Stakker Humanoid" UK Singles Chart #17
1988 "Stakker Humanoid" UK Dance Chart #1
1992 "Stakker Humanoid '92" UK Singles Chart #40
2001 "Stakker Humanoid 2001" UK Singles Chart #65

Personnel
  • Composed by Brian Dougans
  • Engineered by John Laker
  • Produced and mixed by Brian Dougans, John Laker
  • Uses vocal samples from the videogame 'Berzerk'.

References
  1. Aitken, Stuart (2013-11-11). "Stakker Humanoid: how the Future Sound of London won hearts and minds". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  2. "The Future Sound of London - Welcome to the Galaxial Pharmaceutical v7". Archived from the original on 2014-04-10. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  3. Bella (1995-06-07). "THE FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON DISCOGRAPHY version 3.2". Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2018-05-16. Halter * Net: The Future Sound of London: Discography]

Sources
  • Cavanagh, David. The Creation Records Story: My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry for the Prize. London: Virgin Books, 2000. ISBN 978-0-7535-0645-5
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