Mental Cube – Q (1992)

Just as the band were in their home run on Passion Music, at the point they were beginning to work on the material that would make up Lifeforms and Tales of Ephidrina, 1990’s ‘Q‘ ended up getting another European issue. Just shows you can’t keep a classic down. As with the 1991 release on Buzz, the computer generated cover prominently features the title. It’s far from the quality of Buggy’s later work, and gives it a strangely dated feel. The release was licensed Flarenasch, a French label releasing everything from soft pop to dance music. And, in usual style for a FSOL record released by license, it’s a bit confusing. Only the ‘Santa Monica Mix’ here is as it should be: the ‘Original’ version is, indeed, the 6:30 version, but is listed as running to 4:15, the same length as the faster version on Earthbeat. Meanwhile, the A-side remains a mystery. The only full torrent of the 12″ has a 4:15 version of the ‘Remix’, which is identical to the ‘Santa Monica’ mix, only with an additional “Q” vocal sample at the end. However, the Discogs entry seems to be well detailed, and suggests that the time of 4:51 is correct, meaning it must be another mix. It’s possible it’s the ‘Original 1990 Retake’ version, which certainly matches the description of sounding like a cross between the original and the ‘Santa Monica’ mix. As it is, I don’t have the £200 necessary to buy a copy and compare. Anyone with more info, please get in touch!

And, of course, there is the wonderful credits section, in which the release is stated to be produced by “Yage & The Future”. Marvellous.

Release date: 1992

Other issues:
Q (1991)
Q (2011)

Tracklist:
A. Q (Remix)
B1. Q (Santa Monica Mix)
B2. Q (Original Mix)

Credits
Written by B. Dougans / G. Cockbain.
Produced by Yage & The Future.
Packaging design: One Way.
Sleeve computer graphic: Frédérick Avrado.