The Shamen

From psychedelia to dance

The Shamen formed in Aberdeen in 1985 (a 1986 start is also given), preceded by the name Alone Again Or after the Love song, and moved to London around 1988. Drop (June 1987) was a psychedelic debut, and "Christopher Mayhew Says" (late 1987) was the first to use beat machines and samples. Will Sinnott, known as Will Sin, joined in October 1987. In Gorbachev We Trust came out in January 1989. In summer 1988 they met Mr. C (Richard West) and the DJ Evil Eddie Richards, and in 1989 the Synergy tour, with Orbital and DJs including Paul Oakenfold, ran for nearly two years, combining a club night with live bands. Colin Angus said of the live sound that it is a very, very live sound and that is what sets them apart from other dance artists.

En-Tact (November 1, 1990, One Little Indian, produced by the band) was the first album with Mr. C, who became a full member, and Plavka Lonich joined; it reached 31 in the UK and 138 on the Billboard 200, and is in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Singles were "Omega Amigo", "Pro-Gen" (55 in the UK), "Make It Mine" (42), "Hyperreal" (about 29) and "Move Any Mountain" (4). Will Sinnott died on May 23, 1991, aged 30, and Angus chose to continue. Progeny (1991) collected the sample list and many remixes by the Beatmasters, Joey Beltram, Paul Oakenfold and Frankie Bones, and is said to have been the only record to chart on the UK singles and albums charts simultaneously then.

Boss Drum (1992) included "Ebeneezer Goode", a UK number one in September 1992 for three plus one weeks, and "L.S.I." (6), "Phorever People" (5) and "Re:Evolution". Victoria Wilson-James replaced Jhelisa Anderson in 1993. Axis Mutatis (1995) and Hempton Manor (1996, an instrumental album made to fulfil their contract after a split with One Little Indian) followed, and UV (1998) came out on their own Moksha label as their final album. The Shamen Collection came out on April 20, 2004. Mr. C later became a house DJ and owner of The End. Wikipedia mentions influence on Jesus Jones and EMF.