The Shamen – En-Tact

I think the album was reissued with the new (U.S.) tracklist in October 1991 because Will Sin had died in May of that year. I assume Colin invited Mr. C to become a permanent member of the group rather than go it alone, and they then decided to alter the tracklist of the album to feature more Mr. C vocals: the easiest way was to shorten the instrumental Will Sin-flavored tracks and include recent remixes that included more C raps. It’s still a decent enough album, but not nearly as good as the original version.

The advance promo CD in the U.S. is a weird velvet Digipak with a photo of a morose-looking Colin and C on it (honestly it’s a ridiculously lame promo other than the music.) It was obviously a weird ploy to introduce the newly-minted duo to the U.S., which is a bit weird since it feels like it erases Will somewhat.

Make sure to get the original 1990 pressing. It contains the original version of Hyperreal— heavy with mood, atmosphere and superior to the 1991 Orbit remix IMO

This black-covered version is the only one to get. Avoid the blue-covered one with all the remixes - it's not a patch on this original one.

The Shamen have such a cheesy reputation now but it surely ain't based on this record. Easily 30 years since I listened to this and it still holds up really well. Really inventive and intelligent dance music.

Evil is Even is good .... in a good way, but I'd say Hyperreal Selector is the real deal jammy-jam, movin' groovin' ... too bad they didn't put that song on the original LP ( only available on CD)

Amazing album from the early Shamen some brilliant diverse electronica, minus MR C the prancing prize twat who later ed the band and wrecked it putting cheesy raps on every tune. The original 1990 release with the original unmixed Human NRG is the best with black cover and silver writing, not the remixed later 91 pop version. They should release the original 1990 black cover LP on 180G

Brilliant album and way ahead of the curve. Classic great sleeve artwork too

The real shame here is that there are at least 3 different version of this release and neither of the two originals are truly seminal/definitive.
Avoid any of the commercial rereleases and the later 2008 vinyl rme, actually the 1991 CD, "naughty naughty very Naughty".
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as noted by Restless (10/4/2014) the album stands against the great albums of 1990, partly through the combined efforts of its cast list; some established names and some who were to become household names (or nearly).
get the original 2*LP, the first CD or if you are brave track down a cassette for a proper 90's rave revival! sorted

Yes indeed, great seminal album which contributed to convert a lot of indie people (including your servitor) to the joys of ecstatic dancefloor marathon, together with LFO, KLF, 808State, Orbital, The Orb, Primal Scream, FSOL, the "Keeping The Faith" comp and many others. Although its content has allegedly aged today, it still benefits the inherent nostalgia factor ("Hyperreal", "Omega Amigo", "Possible Worlds", "Oxygen Restriction"...).
And then there is the absolute gem, that wasn't a standout tune at the time and was never released as a full-side 12inch, i'm talking about "Hear Me O My People (Orbital - Delays Expected)", an early trancey stomper with subtly echoing dubby 4/4 beats over dramatic pads, and a spoken voice speech sampled from a south-african anti-apartheid preacher ; which combines the Shamen's indierave vibe with an early Orbital at their trippy peak and imo reaches perfection in an underground crossover position due to its relatively low BPM status, making it suitable in indie, balearic, cosmic but also deep house and early trance approaches.
A tune that sends you straight in the particular timeline of a very smiling and utopist 1990, and still absolutely droppable to this day as an ideal set opener or closer.

I honestly feel the soul of The Shamen was lost with Will Sin's drowning. The fact that "En-Tact" was rereleased with the addition of Mr. C's yammering indicates it further. "En-Tact" is a brilliant release, but only if you can find the original presented above.

a truly great LP/CD, even if you had never heard a peep from then again after this record it would still be fantastic. A totally varied and interesting listen all the way through, another classic from the good old early 90's!