Coldcut – What That Noise?

Released in 1989, What That Noise? marked a turning point in the career of British duo Coldcut, pioneers of sampling and electronica

English electronic music duo, composed of Matt Black and Jonathan More, Coldcut are the art of sampling with passion and creativity. The album mixed hip-hop, jazz, dub and house with an avant-garde approach that would influence an entire generation. Say Kids, What Time Is It ? We are in 1987, a single has been produced with samples. On the same year, the band samples Ofra Haza on Paid In Full, Eric B and Rakim remix and, in 1988, COLDCUT releases their 1st album with various artists, such as Lisa Stansfield, Blondie, Yazz & Boo Ya Tribe. I had the desire to get back to listen to this first album, just to get this feeling again. I must say I had a real good time doing it…

Few words about What That Noise?

With What That Noise? Coldcut push the boundaries of electronica by integrating multiple influences into a dynamic and eclectic patchwork of sound. The tracks, packed with samples, reveal a bold musical approach where hip-hop meets jazz, dub and burgeoning rave culture. This innovative album is helping to popularise sampling as an art form and to define the sonic identity of the UK electronic scene.

This album is distinguished by its experimental and playful nature. Coldcut, aka Matt Black and Jonathan More, establish themselves as sound architects on this album, using sampling as a new form of composition. From the very first notes of People Hold On, featuring Lisa Stansfield, you can feel the influence of American hip-hop, but with a European touch more focused on electronic textures and house rhythms. Stansfield’s warm vocals add a touch of soul, contrasting with the mechanical rhythms and samples that give the track its identity.

What That Noise? navigates between genres with disconcerting naturalness, incorporating elements of dub, as in My Telephone, where telephone obsession is dramatised through deep bass lines and echo effects. The track Stop This Crazy Thing a collaboration with Junior Reid, explores themes of alienation and rebellion with typical Coldcut sonic intensity. The production reveals a penchant for the absurd and sound collage, contributing to the emergence of trip-hop and big beat, which would gain in popularity in the 90s.

Beyond its artistic qualities, What That Noise? captures a key moment when British rave culture began to spread, and sampling became not only a creative tool but also a means of conveying social and political messages. Coldcut uses this technique to deconstruct and reassemble familiar sounds, creating a sonic mosaic that reflects the effervescence of the late 80s.

What That Noise?, a pioneering album

By pushing back the boundaries of sampling, What That Noise? has inspired generations of artists, from DJ Shadow to Massive Attack. Today, as the tools of musical production become more democratic, Coldcut’s principles – mixing genres, deconstructing sounds – remain omnipresent. This album invites us to reflect on the impact of sampling on current musical creation, and to see how techniques inherited from the pioneers of electronic music continue to shape experimental music, hip-hop and the contemporary electronic scene.

Sound Mirrors (2006), was simply announced to be their best record from their brillant and long career, a huge line-up with guest but sounds like « Coldcut » ! Their label Ninja Tune also offered many golden talents. Everything is under control is good, very good indeed. They perfectly manage their way as producers. If it did not gave me same goosebump as What That Noise did on that period, it’s probably because this period was a way different, everything was kinda new for us, was sort a of blast. Now, they are not anymore alone in the business, many more good musicians knows how to make a use of the new technologies. Probably due to their important work as producers & editors with Ninja Tune, but by the way, « Huge » is the word that describe it all about their work, all of it.

Interview sample (Varsity)

Varsity: How do you feel your music has developed from your initial creations in the 80’s to your new stuff?
Matt Black: I think we were quite naïve when we started, but we’ve lost that to an extent. John [More, Coldtcut’s other member] and I have what we call a search for ignorance, which is the realization that it is good to have what Zen people would call “beginner’s mind” and not really know what the fuck you’re doing, and just learning by experimentation. But having said that I think that our music is more subtle than it was then, and I think we’ve become reasonably good craftsmen using our tools to cook up music in more or less any form that you want. I know a bit more about music than I did 13 years ago.