Drop #5 - Dark & Long (Dark Train) Limited Drop

[TheBang]

https://store.underworldlive.com/collections/dark-long-dark-train-limited-drop

Released in the summer of 1994, one could argue that Dark Train was Underworld’s first proper anthem. Where previous singles Mmm… Skyscraper I Love You, Rez and Cowgirl had provided the soundtrack to countless nights in dank basements and underground clubs, Dark Train drove a hole directly through the walls and parked itself on the main dance floor. It quickly crossed from techno world and into the super clubs - those buttoned up, shiny new sonic meccas that sprang up all over the UK in the mid ’90s. Once there, it began to shape the sounds around it, an irrepressible, irresistible virus in the mainstream. Often imitated over the years, Dark Train was never equalled.

Ostensibly a remix of Dark & Long, in reality this was always very much its own thing. Completely reimagined from the original, it was an irrepressible groove, a signal to move and an instruction to ride the train with zero regard for the destination. Eighteen months after release and club ubiquity, the track gained a post-club afterlife in Danny Boyle’s 1996 film Trainspotting. There, it formed part of an unforgettable juxtaposition in the film’s cold turkey scene - the claustrophobic, bedroom bound visuals offset by the relentless elation of the music.

This new mix of Dark Train builds on Underworld’s recent live performances of the track. For this exclusive release, Underworld have reimagined the original mix in the Pigshed as if it were being played out, and we were stood together in field or concert hall, riding that train together.

————————————————-

Over on the other side...

If Dark Train is the sound of an endless 2am wreathed in heavy strobes and sweet smoke, Most ‘Ospitable is the total contrast.

It is sunrise over the city, streets almost silent as errant wildlife retreats into its safe corners. It is the moon still visible in new bright daylight. Serene like the glistening sea lapping pebbles on the shore; like a carpet of dew underfoot. Like six minutes of ecstatic peace. One of Underworld’s first forays into pure ambient sound, it has been unavailable on vinyl since the original 12” release in 1994 as part of the Dark and Long single package.

Orders ship: 19th November 2021

https://i.imgur.com/AjYYeNc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/X0rkzBX.jpg

UNDERWORLD - 'DARK AND LONG 3' 12'' HEAVY-WEIGHT VINYL
Side A1: Underworld - Dark & Long (Drift 2 Dark Train)
Side B1: Underworld - Dark & Long (Most ‘Ospitable)
Side B2: Underworld - Dark & Long (Dark Train)

Produced by Rick Smith
Performed by Underworld
Written by Rick Smith, Karl Hyde, and Darren Emerson
Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios

Rick Smith & Karl Hyde are published by Mute Song Ltd. (PRS) for the world excluding the USA, Canada and Mexico and by Big Deal Beats (BMI) administered by Words & Music for USA, Canada and Mexico. Darren Emerson is published by Universal Music Publishing.
(p) & (c) 2021 Smith Hyde Productions
UWR00093
www.underworldlive.com

[undarrenworld]

Thank you Underworld, order for the vinyl is placed right now. I love new Dark Train, such a classic with modern vibe production. Very well done. BPM135 is such a good tempo. Thank you.

[lemonjelly]

liking the look of the bucket hat, though £30 feels a little steep.
the adidas jacket is sold out, dread to think how much that was...

[TheBang]

Despite the promo wording, this is actually the first time Most 'Ospitable appears on vinyl.

The Adidas track jacket is already sold out. Besides the Dark Train merch (including some expensive slipmats), there are a few additions in the store to the Classic collection. The Born Slippy beanie is new, as well as the pink hoodie, black sweatshirt, and kids shirt.

[undarrenworld]

liking the look of the bucket hat, though £30 feels a little steep.
the adidas jacket is sold out, dread to think how much that was...

It was £99 my friend.

EDIT: Yeah, Todd is right it was £90, my apologies.

[TheBang]

the adidas jacket is sold out, dread to think how much that was...
£90.00

[StrangeLastName]

Agh, $100 USD for a 12" and a T-shirt shipped to the US... Luckily my wife needed some things to get me for Christmas!

[negative1]

Ordered the vinyl.
Always liked buying things in a series, #3.

later
-1

[DwarfeD]

Ordered the vinyl and the Adidas jacket.
Quite excited about the latter one.
I'm curious how much there were initially available, since it sold out so quickly.

[saintrik]

$50+ for the vinyl to the US. Ouch!

Also - the full release is available in lossless digital formats:
https://us.7digital.com/artist/underworld/release/dark-and-long-3-18291899
https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/dark-long-3-underworld/fyatbxt3unlxc

Word of warning on Qobuz. The full release is $12.99 - but if you buy the tracks individually they are $1.49 each...

[Goaty]

Also on streaming platforms https://open.spotify.com/album/3jp2nBhfeHODGumUVPeyHK

[woofmute]

it's interesting they're putting most 'ospitable before dark train on the B side, given they already had those songs mixing into eachother on a cd originally.

[TheBang]

it's interesting they're putting most 'ospitable before dark train on the B side, given they already had those songs mixing into eachother on a cd originally.
Ha, that is an excellent point. I guess it's probably because the Dark Train remaster does not contain the bleepy sounds at the very end that segue into Most Ospitable, they way they did on the CD single.

[Dirty0900]

Dispatch email today for the 12”

[Billy Goat]

Ha, that is an excellent point. I guess it's probably because the Dark Train remaster does not contain the bleepy sounds at the very end that segue into Most Ospitable, they way they did on the CD single.
On a similar note is there a version of Spoonman without Tongue mixed in or Dirty Epic that doesn't have Cowgirl mixing in but still has the Dirty epic Outro (rather than the quick fade out on the single)?

[TheBang]

Spoonman and Tongue, no, there is no "clean" version of either of those.

For Dirty Epic, there are non-segued versions on the single, EP, and both anthologies. The single and EP versions appear to be just early fade-outs of album segued version. You can barely hear the segue elements at the very end of the tracks as they're fading out. For both anthologies, it appears they went back to the master tape and got a clean version that does not have the Cowgirl segue at the end. It plays out longer, and fades out without any sounds of the segue. The 1992-2012 Anthology has the longest version at 10:01.

[Billy Goat]

Thanks Bang that's what I figured! I did wonder though if Spoonman on either of the VHSs (Footwear repairs or Kiteless) had a clean ending and if so whether anyone has a good quality rip?

[undarrenworld]

Im looking forward to the new Dark Train on vinyl. I forgot about brexit-customs-additional payment, so I was bit surprised this time. Any chance to have separate shop in EU for European customers? What do other fans think? This is getting expensive this way a bit. And you must declare the goods. Bit tricky order this time. But Im not complaining, its idea for further discussion possibly.

[DoomofKiss]

It would have also been great if the track 215 Miles was remastered and released along with this. Love that tune and it's so overlooked. 😁

[woofmute]

Thanks Bang that's what I figured! I did wonder though if Spoonman on either of the VHSs (Footwear repairs or Kiteless) had a clean ending and if so whether anyone has a good quality rip?
it's just the album version but it mixes into a different song where it would go to tongue.

[Billy Goat]

it's just the album version but it mixes into a different song where it would go to tongue.
Ah OK! Thanks for clearing that up for me! 👍

[whatmakesustick]

Well, my Adidas top came this morning which is great, but unfortunately I followed the 'size comes up small' advice and my L is too big :( If anyone ordered an M and wants to swap for a L then send me a message! Cheers.

[Dirty0900]

My record came and it looked like someone had ripped off the corner. Totally damaged and torn. Will be fun seeing if I can get a replacement 12”U

[whatmakesustick]

My record came and it looked like someone had ripped off the corner. Totally damaged and torn. Will be fun seeing if I can get a replacement 12”U

Oh no :( Keep an eye out on the site as a few days ago I saw it being available again.

[TheBang]

My record came and it looked like someone had ripped off the corner. Totally damaged and torn. Will be fun seeing if I can get a replacement 12”U

Oh no :( Keep an eye out on the site as a few days ago I saw it being available again.
They always keep extra stock for fulfillment damages/losses, so replacement availability shouldn't be a problem.

I don't think you can buy it, as it was a limited drop. It has not been on-sale again since that time. Maybe you were looking at the Shop listings on Facebook? That shows all the Limited Drop items, but not their Sold Out status. You don't see that until you click-through Facebook which takes you to the actual Shop site.

[whatmakesustick]

I'm not sure - with regards availability I emailed and they said it was not possible to swap a L for a M. Interestingly, I ordered a T-Shirt separately which also seems to have gone missing in the post.

Last week on the store there was definitely the 12" and slip mat available - maybe someone cancelled their order.

Personally, I'm not having much luck with the fulfilment of these drops. For the KoS drop, my order was messed up and I missed out on 2 12" and t-shirt.

Limited drops seems to be the latest trend, but the fulfilment is not great. I managed to order an Unkle Psyence fiction anniversary signed 7" a few weeks ago which "got lost in the post" (i.e. they sold too many). Rant over :)

[negative1]

I'm not sure - with regards availability I emailed and they said it was not possible to swap a L for a M. Interestingly, I ordered a T-Shirt separately which also seems to have gone missing in the post.

Last week on the store there was definitely the 12" and slip mat available - maybe someone cancelled their order.

Personally, I'm not having much luck with the fulfilment of these drops. For the KoS drop, my order was messed up and I missed out on 2 12" and t-shirt.

Limited drops seems to be the latest trend, but the fulfilment is not great. I managed to order an Unkle Psyence fiction anniversary signed 7" a few weeks ago which "got lost in the post" (i.e. they sold too many). Rant over :)

sorry to hear about that. i've never had a problem.
but then i pretty much only order 1 item.

i hope you at least got refunds on those.

later
-1

[whatmakesustick]

Customer Services have been relatively responsive so all is not lost. Perhaps I should just order less :)

[Dirty0900]

I'm not sure - with regards availability I emailed and they said it was not possible to swap a L for a M. Interestingly, I ordered a T-Shirt separately which also seems to have gone missing in the post.

Last week on the store there was definitely the 12" and slip mat available - maybe someone cancelled their order.

Personally, I'm not having much luck with the fulfilment of these drops. For the KoS drop, my order was messed up and I missed out on 2 12" and t-shirt.

Limited drops seems to be the latest trend, but the fulfilment is not great. I managed to order an Unkle Psyence fiction anniversary signed 7" a few weeks ago which "got lost in the post" (i.e. they sold too many). Rant over :)

Replacement on the way !

[undarrenworld]

The vinyl arrived yesterday, beautiful. But the record itself is not really flat and its very wavy and bumpy. Even 180 g vinyl. I never had similar problems with new vinyl. Im wondering if others are experiencing the same problem with this so the tonearm pops a lot?

[negative1]

i got my record today, but have not opened it yet.

here are the first 2, and the re-issue:
https://www.borndirty.org/forums/showpost.php?p=169039&postcount=1296

later
-1