Stakker Humanoid (Humanoid)

• acid-house
• techno
• Humanoid

In the heady days of 1988, the UK’s electronic music landscape was undergoing a profound transformation, a metamorphosis that would send reverberations across the globe for decades to come. It was in this cultural crucible that the visionary producer Brian Dougans, who would later gain fame as one half of the iconic duo The Future Sound of London, teamed up with Mark McLean and Colin Scott, video artists he met at the legendary Hacienda in Manchester. Together, they crafted a record that not only epitomized the zeitgeist of the moment, but also heralded a new era of electronic music experimentation: “Stakker Humanoid.”

Today, looking back at the 35-year-old release with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that “Stakker Humanoid” was a seminal work that remains a touchstone for fans and producers alike. The three tracks on the release – the original, the radio edit, and the Omen Mix – are a testament to Dougans’ early mastery of his craft and offer a fascinating glimpse into the creative mind that would go on to shape the course of electronic music history.

As if crafted from the very fabric of the nascent rave scene, the A1 track, “Stakker Humanoid,” is a whirlwind of energy, creativity, and innovation. It’s as if a mad scientist, fueled by the boundless enthusiasm of the time, had taken the best elements of techno, acid, and electro, and melded them together into a Frankenstein’s monster of sound – a creature that, in this case, is nothing short of mesmerizing. The track’s pulsating rhythm, propelled by a relentless 303 bassline, is like a hypnotic pendulum, swinging back and forth and drawing listeners deeper into its entrancing world.

Meanwhile, the innovative use of samples from the 1980 arcade game “Berzerk” adds a playful and nostalgic touch to the proceedings. The voice of Evil Otto, the game’s antagonist, serves as a haunting yet strangely endearing counterpoint to the track’s relentless drive, echoing through the mix like the ghost of a long-forgotten arcade. The effect is akin to opening a time capsule, uncovering the lost relics of a bygone era, and reimagining them in a bold and daring new context.

The A2 track, a radio edit of the original, distills the essence of “Stakker Humanoid” into a more accessible, bite-sized package. While retaining the core elements that make the original so compelling, the edit demonstrates Dougans’ ability to adapt and rework his creations, taking on the role of a sculptor chiseling away the rough edges to reveal the true form beneath. The result is a condensed, radio-friendly version that loses none of the original’s potency, yet manages to captivate in its own unique way.

The B side, “Stakker Humanoid (The Omen Mix),” represents a deeper dive into the track’s darker, more experimental side. As the name suggests, this version is steeped in a sense of foreboding, its atmosphere conjuring images of shadowy figures lurking in the depths of abandoned warehouses. The rhythm, like a serpent slithering through the underbrush, coils around the listener’s ears, inviting them to explore the recesses of this mysterious sonic world.

The extended, 7:50 runtime allows Dougans to explore the full breadth of his creative vision, drawing listeners into a labyrinthine soundscape where the boundaries between the real and the imagined begin to blur. It’s a journey as captivating as it is disorienting, reminiscent of Alice’s tumble down the rabbit hole, where one can never quite predict what strange and wonderful sights will appear around the next bend.

In the context of Dougans’ broader discography, “Stakker Humanoid” serves as an important milestone, showcasing the raw talent and untamed creativity that would later blossom into The Future Sound of London’s sophisticated sonic tapestries. The release is like an acorn, its unassuming exterior belied by the potential for growth that lay within, a potential that would ultimately manifest in the form of seminal works such as “Lifeforms” and “Dead Cities.”

The unique elements of “Stakker Humanoid,” from its innovative structure to its genre-blurring rhythm and melody, can be seen as a precursor to the experimental spirit that would come to define Dougans’ later output. Indeed, the record’s fusion of disparate styles and sounds serves as a blueprint for the eclectic approach that would become the hallmark of The Future Sound of London’s oeuvre.

As for the song’s theme or message, “Stakker Humanoid” can be interpreted as a celebration of the possibilities inherent in electronic music, an invitation to explore the uncharted territories of sound and to push the boundaries of what was considered possible. It’s a rallying cry for the pioneers of the rave scene, encouraging them to embrace the spirit of innovation and to chart their own course through the rapidly evolving landscape of electronic music.

Influences on the tracks are numerous, with Dougans drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists and genres. The pulsating 303 basslines and hypnotic rhythms can be traced back to the pioneers of acid house, such as Phuture and DJ Pierre, while the experimental nature of the record owes a debt to visionaries like Brian Eno and Kraftwerk. At the same time, the playful use of video game samples and the incorporation of electro elements hint at a fascination with the burgeoning hip-hop scene of the late ’80s, nodding to artists like Afrika Bambaataa and Mantronix.

The enduring impact of “Stakker Humanoid” can be felt not only in the countless producers who have cited the record as a source of inspiration, but also in the way it continues to resonate with fans today. The release is like a supernova, its explosion of creativity and innovation radiating outwards, igniting the imaginations of countless artists and listeners who have been touched by its incandescent brilliance.

In summary, “Stakker Humanoid” is a landmark release that serves as a testament to the power of electronic music to capture the spirit of a moment and to transcend the boundaries of time and space. As much a product of its era as it is a harbinger of things to come, the record is like a bridge, connecting the past, present, and future of electronic music in a way that few releases can claim to do. And, 35 years on, it remains a shining example of the genre’s limitless potential, a beacon of inspiration that will no doubt continue to illuminate the path for generations of artists to come.