VARIANTS
A SLEEVE NOTES SPECIAL
Learn more about the 20-year retrospective of the forgotten and now forgiven...
The very first Son of Jack album "This is the Sound of Masimo" was released in 2002. To celebrate 20 years of songwriting, this compilation of oddities, rarities and previously unreleased tracks takes a look at what might have been, but never was. The story behind all eleven songs is here...
THE WRONG AND THE RIGHT - SOULSHAKER MIX (2002)
The Wrong and the Right was the first Son of Jack song ever recorded back in 2001. Originally released on the Blue ep, it then featured on the first album This Is The Sound of Masimo. This remix of the song was created by Henley-based DJ Bridge-Butler and was first featured on the Red ep. It’s released here digitally for the first time.
VOICES IN THE RAIN - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
(2003)
Recorded around the time of the Welcome to Masimo Country sessions, Voices in the Rain never actually made it onto the album. It’s backdrop is a loop from an Ennio Morricone record (created manually by connecting an original vinyl record player to an 8-track, then cutting and splicing).
WE’RE THE BOYS - LONDON BRIDGE STUDIO TAKE (2006)
The original of We’re the Boys featured on the first album This is the Sound of Masimo. This new demo version was created half a decade later at London Bridge Studios, with producer Jimmy K. It has a much fuller, rockier sound than the original, moving at pace. Session musicians were used on drums, bass and keyboard.
MY BIG GANG - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (2007)
Recorded between Last Album of Summer and 13 Curses this was the first song recorded in the transition from analogue to digital recording equipment. It’s funky bass riff and percussive drum beats give it an early 90s Manchester feel.
ASTRONAUT - LONDON BRIDGE STUDIO TAKE (2006)
A re-working of From Space to the City’s opening number, this demo version of Astronaut was recorded at the same sessions as We’re the Boys. The addition of the NASA narration and haunting female vocal give the song a different feel to the original. The name of the female singer is, I’m afraid, lost in the midst of time (and space).
ELECTRIC MONSTER - ALTERNATE PUMPING VERSION (2013)
Created as an alternate option for the album Wooden Gods Electric Monsters, this version uses vocal additions from
the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival soundtrack with two festival goers opining about global procreation. The final choice for the song appears on Wooden Gods… without the randy narrators.
THE BIG SLEEP - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (2003)
Recorded for the Welcome to Masimo Country album, this song never made it onto the final track list. It was meant to close the album, but other tracks were chosen in its place, meaning this was consigned to the vault. Anouska Jaytelike sings on the track (as she did for a number of songs on the Welcome… and Masimo and the Mountains albums).
EMPTY SHELL - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (2005)
Recorded as part of the From Space to the City sessions, Empty Shell harks back to the earlier county sounds of the preceding three Masimo albums. At the time, with the Son of Jack sound progressing in a slightly different direction, the song felt like a step backwards. We all make mistakes!
ROADS - ALTERNATE VOCALS (2004)
There were three different vocal versions of Roads recorded, before finally settling on the Son of Jack and Anouska version featured on Masimo and the Mountains. This track is a compilation of the other two options that were considered - one with a high pitched male voice, the other with a low male voice and Mrs Jackson signing. They’ve been spliced together to create this version.
(THEME FROM A) TV SITCOM (STARRING ROBERT LINDSAY) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (2004)
This affectionately titled song also goes by the name Meet in the Middle. It’s a twee little ditty that didn’t really fit in with the Son of Jack sound, but was fun to record and evokes memories of a Friday night BBC One family comedy show that’s yet to be written.
THE 9.17 - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (2022)
Written for brother Greg and Diana’s wedding, this song was my gift to the happy couple on the occasion of their wedding day on 17th September 2022. Congratulations Greg and Diana!