Not only did the album not play by the rules of what would these days be called music by a ‘heritage’ artist, but it didn’t play by the rules of dance music either. Back then, dance music artists didn’t mix up styles as they do today. This is one of the reasons the album’s called Bastard. Upon release, Bastard was modestly successful in comparison to the label’s other releases, although widely misunderstood. The title is intentionally multifaceted, referring to several ways in which the album is a misfit – a cuckoo in the nest. But it never meant ‘Colin Newman is a bastard’ – even if Malka’s toy finger gesture on the cover tempted fate on that! Malka and I have done more work together on swim ~ – and, of course, there has been plenty of Wire activity after its second hiatus during the 1990s – but I never felt the need to do another solo album. I don’t crave attention and certainly don’t feel I lack ways to express myself. In many ways, it’s more creative to collaborate with others. There is joy and beauty in collaboration. And collaborating with Malka has become so effortless that we almost don’t know who does what in the work we create. This has led us to throwing open our partnership via Nanocluster events and albums where we build musical bridges and make partnerships that transcend the art. Maybe that’s the point? Surely, art should be about human connection and diversity of expression? Colin Newman, Brighton, 2023 (edited from album sleeve notes) Tracklisting: LP & CD1 1. Sticky 2. May 3. Slowfast (falling down the stairs with a drumkit) 4. Without 5. g-deep 6. Spaced In 7. Spiked 8. The Orange House & the Blue House 9. Turn
