With the huge success of October 1990’s Mental Cube EP, things were on the up for Dougans and Cobain. Certainly on their first release for 1991 – the first of four Pulse EPs – you can hear increased confidence. Building on the surging breakbeats and epic bleep techno of the previous release, the four tracks on this EP feature punchier beats, shinier production, bigger melodies, increased tempos and bolder ideas.
The EP’s biggest claim to fame, however, is the first appearance of the FSOL moniker. Side B features two tracks credited to The Future Sound of London, one of which would go on to appear on the band’s debut album Accelerator at the end of the year. The name had been around for a while, but kept aside for something worthwhile: it was clear from the off that the alias would have to live up to its own bold statement. You can certainly hear that boldness on ‘Pulse State’, the pair’s first truly epic track.
The other side of the EP is provided by Indo Tribe, an alias that only ever appeared on the Pulse series, with no standalone releases to its name. The moniker had been used by Brian for a series of experimental recordings in the ’80s, and readopted for this new project. Much like FSOL and Mental Cube, Indo Tribe was used for a wide range of styles and approaches, as opposed to the usual stylistically homogenous use of aliases.
The Pulse EP is also a milestone in the band’s career for being the group’s first release on Jumpin’ & Pumpin’. J&P was another dance imprint owned by Passion Music, effectively a sister label to Debut, who had released their previous 12″s. For a while, the pair released music on both labels, which provided different payment, before eventually moving solely to J&P before the end of 1991. Garry described the label as run by a “lovable barrow boy [called] Les” who worked behind “a gold embroidered table with his name on it”. Although a simple relationship of convenience – they were paid a grand for a 12″, the label would push it to DJs, and they “couldn’t be arsed” to run their own label – it would end up being a hugely important connection, with FSOLDigital’s physical releases in the 21st century being manufactured by Passion Music under the J&P banner.
The credits are, as usual, somewhat intriguing, with mix titles being given to all four tracks, and production duties being handled by both Mental Cube and Yage. Garry was still using his birth name at this point. The front cover – stark black and white typography – is much simpler than the 1990 designs, and, having used the Buggy G. Riphead name for a single release, Mark McLean’s credit is listed as “An Offbeat Design”. The Buggy name would quickly return.
Three further Pulse EPs would follow before the band signed to Virgin, and all four would be combined for 2008 CD release The Pulse EPs.
Release date: January 1991.
Tracklist:
12″ (12 TOT 11)
A1. Indo Tribe – Bring in the Pulse (MFK Mix)
A2. Indo Tribe – In the Mind of a Child (First Born Mix)
B1. The Future Sound of London – Hardhead (Frothin’ at the Mouth Mix)
B2. The Future Sound of London – Pulse State (831 AM Mix)
Credits
All songs written by Brian Dougans / Gary Cockbain.
A1 & A2 produced by Mental Cube.
B1 & B2 produced by Yage.
Recorded at Earthbeat 1991.
Published by Skratch Music Publishing.
Fractional Difference 
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