Levellers - Zeitgeist 30th Anniversary Remix (2LP / 3CD)

In 1995 the aptly titled Zeitgeist solidified Levellers at the forefront of British music. Following their record-breaking headline performance at Glastonbury Festival the year before, Zeitgeist soared to the top of the charts with its release in August, batting off competition from Blur and The Charlatans, and becoming the sound of that summer alongside the likes of Supergrass, Oasis and Pulp.

Now, for its 30^th anniversary, the album has been gloriously remixed by Al Scott, the original producer who first sat down with Levellers at their self-sufficient Metway studio in Brighton

Jon Sevink reveals “’Zeitgeist’ was written in 1995 in an empty industrial building in Brighton, the band’s new home. Paid for, amazingly with an album advance from indie label China records and recorded largely using second-hand equipment including an old analogue tape machine there was pressure to succeed. With 'Levelling The Land' producer Al Scott back at the helm, the feel might have been DIY but we, as a band, had a point to prove and confidence was high.

So here we are, 30 years later talking about the reissue of our number 1 album. The analogue tape days may be over but the memories are still there in the digital recordings and a subtly different appreciation of the material with the passing of time.

Working with Al Scott on the mixes has been a real joy. He understands that once released, the music becomes part of the consciousness of music fans and any dealings with the past need to be treated carefully and with respect. The aim is not to reinvent but enhance and having been involved with the 1995 production he has brought a clarity to the new versions without losing the feel of the originals.

Going back to remix Zeitgeist, the band fell back in love with one song that didn't make the final cut   - Alive

Jon Sevink: “Every album has a story attached to it, a road leading from start to finish. The track listing doesn’t always give the full picture. On the Zeitgeist journey, ‘Alive’ was one of the first songs to be demoed. It remained as a potential album track right through the recording process until the mixing stage when another song ‘Just The One’ appeared as a late runner and was deemed more in line musically with the rest of the album tracks.

‘Alive’ was relegated to an also-ran and languished in the vaults until its potential was realised by a judicious edit and voila, a new lease of life. It’s a banger!!”

The video for ‘Alive’ captures the band recording in Metway Studio, alongside on-the-road footage in Prague three decades ago. 

Watch the video HERE

The album will also be available with brand new Atmos mixes, giving a whole new audio experience for fans of the original recording.

"The ATMOS mixes sound like the songs when we were playing them live in our own Metway Studio in Brighton, the closest you’ll get to being in the band. The space between the instruments and voices gives an amazing experience that you don’t get in stereo.”

Featuring some of the band’s biggest hits in ‘Hope St’ and ‘Fantasy’, along with fan favourites ‘The Fear’, ‘Exodus’ and ‘Men-An-Tol’, the 2LP set includes a second remixed disc containing the single mix of ‘Just The One’ (with Joe Strummer on piano) along with B sides and rarities like the new single, Alive from the Zeitgeist sessions.

The deluxe 3CD set includes an extra ‘Outtakes’ album