Happy Mondays Double Easy: The U.S. Singles CD

In 1993, Elektra released this compilation in a final attempt to market the defunct Happy Mondays. One of the most influential bands to emerge from the late '80s Manchester scene, the Mondays were a complete contradiction in that they weren't jolly and flowery at all. They represented all that was gritty and dirty about a scene that was essentially about dancing--for many hours--while on drugs. Without the pretensions of other bands in the Manchester scene, the Happy Mondays made fantastic dance records (while insulting and offending anyone and everyone) and then imploded.

Shaun Ryder experienced one of the most public falls from grace--the result of a long battle with drug addiction--that a British pop star has suffered in recent memory, and he put it all into his songs. DOUBLE EASY is an essential album for anyone looking for the best music of this period.

Producers include: Dave Young, Martin Hannett, Paul Oakenfold, Steve Osborne Chris Frantz.

Engineers include: Dave Young, Lawrence Diana, Dave Burnham.

Personnel: Shaun Ryder (vocals); Paul Davis (keyboards, programming); Paul Ryder (bass guitar); Gary Whelan (drums); Tony Castro, Bruce Martin (percussion); Simon Machan (programming); Kirsty MacColl (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Steven Stanley.

Audio Remixers: Steve Lillywhite; Steve Osborne.

Illustrator: Steve Wacksman.

Arranger: Steve Osborne.

Happy Mondays: Shaun Ryder (vocals); Mark Day (guitar); Paul Davis (keyboards, programming); Paul Ryder (bass); Gary Whelan (drums); Bez (percussion).

Additional personnel: Rowetta (vocals); Tony Castro, Bruce Martin (percussion); Simon Machan (programming).

Q (9/95, p.125) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...an infectious canon that pinpoints a time and place as headily as anything from the punk years..."