The Prodigy
Voodoo People

"... the voodoo who do what you don't dare do people..."

Doors slammed in our faces when we peek into the depths of "Voodoo People".

The Prodigy are on their second album, "Music For The Jilted Generation" from 1994, and are increasingly close to embracing Big Beat sounds that were all the rage at the time. Here there is still a very strong Rave component (yes, I'm a bit obsessed with this term lately) and Oldschool Jungle that distinguished these brilliant schizophrenics in their early works. We are almost on the border with Drum 'n' Bass.

The single in question is one of the group's most famous and appreciated tracks, so much so that it was reinterpreted by Refused and 2Cellos, remixed by Pendulum (with the participation of Tom Morello, again) and included in multiple movie soundtracks.

It starts with an epileptic sampling of Nirvana's gritty "Very Ape" and everything begins to flow faster than expected, following that underlying bass that pumps in the background while virtual tribal-style percussion skins quiver and a buzzing pseudo-flute announces the start of the Voodoo ritual. I challenge anyone to stay perfectly still.

We cut the speed in half with an unmistakable "Voodoo People (Chemical Brothers Remix)", a Big Beat interpretation with the classic bassline in pure Brothers style taking the lead and the pounding sample "Rock the house in!". Always a great combination, Prodigy + Chemical Brothers.

The record concludes with "Goa (The Heat The Energy Part 2)", a track that is nothing short of Acid, offering us 6 minutes of Goa Trance; moreover, midway through the track, the main riff (if you'll allow the term) does a U-turn and reverses. A hidden gem.

Singles should be listened to more often, given the almost constant presence of significant gems.