UK news

Time flies when you’re having fun. Underworld has announced that its seminal 1994 album Dubnobasswithmyheadman has been remastered by Rick Smith at Abbey Road. According to Underworld, Smith used the album’s original MIDI files as well as unreleased material and alternate remixes for the remaster project. Formats include a limited super deluxe 5-CD box set with book containing memorabilia and newly created artwork by design collective tomato; a 2-CD deluxe edition; remastered single CD; 2 LP on 180 GM vinyl; Blu-ray audio and digital equivalents.

Underworld will celebrate the release by playing the classic album in its entirety at a one-off show at London’s Royal Festival Hall taking place on October 11, 2014. Tickets are £35/£30 and go on-sale on July 4, 2014
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According to reports on social media, UK garage artist MC Sparks, a veteran of the genre with over a decade in the scene who was known for his “Fly Bi” single produced with frequent collaborator MC Kie, has passed away. No cause of death has yet to be announced. “I’m in huge shock & devastated I have lost my musical partner in crime MC SPARKS You are admired by thousands & your legacy lives on. #RIP,” wrote MC Kie on Twitter. He added: “Please may I ask in sincere respect for Sparks family & loved ones show as much respect & support for the integrity of their privacy.”

Wrote famed artist Kano on Twitter, “RIP Mc Sparks. Someone who played a major part in my teenage years. He has definitely got everyone up there saying “Oi, oi, oi!”

Kano’s condolences were echoed by DJ Q who tweeted: “I just woke up to hear the sad news… RIP MC Sparks. A true UK Garage Legend. My thoughts are with his family.” Our thoughts go out to MC Sparks’ family, friends and fans.

Added drum ‘n’ bass legend Jumping Jack Frost: “I worked with him a month ago and he was one of the nicest people you would ever meet.”

Image via Facebook

RIP MC Sparks, my thoughts are with his family and friends . I’m shocked and saddened. God rest your soul my brother

— Jumpin Jack Frost (@djjjfrost) June 21, 2014

Still can’t believe that Sparks has gone I worked with him a month ago and he was one of the nicest people you would ever meet #RIPMCSparks — Jumpin Jack Frost (@djjjfrost) June 21, 2014

I just woke up to hear the sad news… RIP MC Sparks. A true UK Garage Legend. My thoughts are with his family..

— DJ Q (@djqmusic) June 21, 2014

Remembering Mc Sparks – R.I.P. with love from Kiss during Kisstory – https://t.co/U6ZOFK2jed — Kiss FM (UK) (@KissFMUK) June 21, 2014

RIP MC Sparks, many thanks for the great sets over the years, pleasure to work with you & thoughts to your family… pic.twitter.com/gAzNI6Yigj

— Garage Nation (@garagenation) June 21, 2014

RIP a true legend,one of the best. Mc Sparks #ripmcsparks

— SUNSHIP (@the1sunship) June 21, 2014

Every DJ out of respect needs to play FLY BI Tonight when they play out RIP MC SPARKS #ukgaragelegend #RIPMCSparks

— Dj Elski (@djelski) June 21, 2014

R.I.P SPARKS …

— Wiley (@WileyUpdates) June 21, 2014

Mix at Six has to be old Skool Uk garage today. #RIPMCSparks

— DJ Target (@DJTarget) June 21, 2014

RIP my brother @SparksMc1

— Ranking (@MCRanking) June 21, 2014

I'm in huge shock & devastated I have lost my musical partner in crime MC SPARKS You are admired by thousands & your legacy lives on. #RIP

— MC-KIE Garage Legend (@1MC_KIE) June 21, 2014

RIP Mc Sparks a legend of the ukg scene love to you and your family always remembered

— DJ Cameo (@djcameo) June 21, 2014

Very sad to wake to the news this morning that one of my peers sadly passed away. RIP MC Sparks. Gonna miss that smile. Love always.

— Johnathan Joseph (@DJSpoony) June 21, 2014

On Sunday night comedian John Oliver presented a lengthy segment about the World Cup on his brilliant HBO program Last Week Tonight. The Brit with razor sharp wit admitted that he was torn about the upcoming games in Sao Paulo: on one hand football is his passion and he lives for the World Cup every four years; on the other the accusations of corruption leveled at FIFA and the tyrannical demands it places upon host cities (did you know that FIFA pays no tax to the host country and the organization cajoled Brazil to suspend a law preventing the sale of beer at games that was created to protect fans from dying because Budweiser is a sponsor?) are completely outrageous. With protests and strikes taking place in Sao Paulo before the start of the game tomorrow, reformed ’80s UK alt-rock band Pop Will Eat Itself have voiced their dislike for FIFA by unveiling a protest song called “Reclaim the Game (Funk FIFA)” featuring Brazilian singer/rapper BNegão.

In the song, PWEI unleash their disdain for controversial FIFA and its boss Sepp Blatter: “Sepp Blatter don’t matter, getting richer and fatter / His idle chatter batters the beautiful game. / They’ve stole it, trolls control it.”

The band are running a remix contest asking producers to interpret the song that highlights “the greed and incompetence of FIFA as well as the austerity facing the Brazilian people.” A variety of versions can be heard on their website. The winner (best entry as judged by the band) wins a pair of tickets to the PWEI gig of their choice (travel not included!) and a free signed album due in October. Okay, the prize might not be a million bucks but at least PWEI are expressing a sentiment that’s shared by a lot of people around the world.

Barely two weeks after Diplo and pop star Katy Perry’s whirlwind relationship had reached an abrupt end comes news that Calvin Harris and Rita Ora’s relationship is over. Finito. Kaput. You get the idea…. The two started dating in May 2013 and eventually led to Harris producing Ora’s recent single, “I Will Never Let You Down,” an EDM flavored song we’ve never heard or care to listen to.

On Friday Harris (real name: Adam Richard Wiles) confirmed the breaking news on Twitter, which turned out to be old hat for the DJ/producer: “To address speculation – myself and Rita ended our relationship some time ago. She is a beautiful, talented woman & I wish her all the best.”

TMZ is reporting that there was a row between Harris and Ora over the songstress getting too friendly with Bieber in the studio, quoting an anonymous source claiming “she would sit on his lap, he would rub her back, etc.” Really? Whatever the case, Harris was out and about this weekend in West Hollywood, later returning to his $7 million mansion in the Hollywood Hills. For Calvin Harris, life is still pretty good.