Fallout - The Morning After

Absurdly simple in concept, absolutely mesmerising in effect, it's remarkable to realise that this tune has pretty much the same effect on everyone who listens to it. The cascading bassline is heaven-sent while the organs and strings provide their own spiritual characters. Playable virtually anywhere, any tme; the after-party, to kick off disc 2 in your double mix CD, or even on your way back from Vegas after a reasonably good win.

A fantastic record, hammered by Grooverider in the 90s. He used it as his last tune of the night frequently at the Eclipse in Coventry. The haunting flutes/ pipes in the intro set the tone for this track. It's one of those reflective records which makes you happy and sad at the same time. Doesn't do much by way of transition, but it's a classic. Buy it, you won't regret it. Reworked as "Dance In A Daze" by The Outerlimit.

What makes a tune so unique? Sometimes those synthesizer timbres it took so long to create, or the melodies that catch you almost instantly; the strings, the basses, or the drums. And sometimes, it will be just the combination of these elements together.

A dance music masterpiece built up with special, strong synth timbres is a sure shot. That was the case of "The Morning After (Sunrise Mix)", and believe-me or not, like the compositions that stand the test of time, it went further than that. Produced by the amazing couple of
talents Lenny Dee and Tommy Musto back in 1987 and released on the legendary Fourth Floor Records, it quickly became a reference. Lenny & Musto were both music makers from the Big Apple – a natural center for Sounds of all genres. They got along with the best of their background and put into this amazing classic. "When we did the tune, it was the real beginning of House music. I was vibing on loads of Peter Gabriel, Paul Hardcastle, Mr. Lee, etc. We did not go in the studio to copy these guys, we had just finished "Bamboo", my first EP for The Fourth Floor Records, so we went in to work on the next record with no real idea except that I wanted to make a deep track that had string based influence and a deep feel", declared Lenny Dee about the "The Morning After"'s first steps.

The powerful piano basslines appear brilliantly in a perfect combination with a flute-simulation melody that goes along with atmospheric strings and typical Brooklyn-style House beats (just listen to the music from people such as Tommy Musto, Frankie Bones, Lenny D. and Joey Beltram back in the end eighties and you'll notice
that there is something about their rhythm that is behind their essence). "The track started off with the 808 Drum machine, I made the beats & fill patterns. We created the drum grooves pretty fast. Musto had just got the first Roland linear synthesizer called the D 50 whose strings were a big part of the vibe. As I was looking for a deep mellow trip - the linear sounds brought a lush wide atmosphere", said Lenny about the equipment used. "It was fantastic, and it's the back bone of the new sounds made today with newer Digital synths".

They both (Lenny and Tommy Musto) used the Casio CZ 101 for the bass lines - which they wrote after the drum patterns, chained together in the 808 live while mixing - that gave the changes a real on the fly feel. Later, they used to their advantage when editing the final verson. The strings really came out durring loads of passes, and they found out the final notes which leaded to the suttle yet eerie feel that "The Morning After" is known for.

Despite having a House mood, the track's snares were deeply broken, creating a singular rhythmic synchronization with the organ basslines and some piano-stabs improvisations. Everything is so rhythmic, so syncopated, like a sort of XXIst Century swing. The result, as good as it gets, is a non-labeable timeless tune that you could certainly play it today on a House, Techouse or even a Breakbeat repertory.

According to Lenny, "The Morning After" would be about thirteen to seventeen minutes long; many differant versons of the tune were made. But the final verson is a comp edit done on reel to reel tape which Tommy & Lenny edited at a later day. "This is probally what took the more time - the mixing of the track" said Lenny. Back in the days, the sequencing was not done on a computer so they had to manually edit every piece & compensate for cuts live prior to the final version. "All in all the track consisted of ten to twelve tracks. I think this is why it still has a great feel & great sound, which by the way was totally helped by Herbie Powers Jr", claimed Lenny Dee. "He is one of the World's best mastering engineers. He worked at Frankfort Wayne Mastering in NYC. When he heard the track, he insisted to do it, which for us was a complete surprise as he only worked on mastering music that he wanted to do", stated Lenny again with enthousiasm.

The name 'Fallout - The Morning After' was a reference to Lenny & Musto. They used to DJ in a private after hours called the RoofTop on the 23rd floor of a building in New York which was filled with crazy people from the Disco scene, as well as from dance music in general and yes, drugs. "There were many late mornings DJing from midnight to three o'clock on the next day afternoon. Hence 'The Morning After' - the effects of this schedule was a Fallout of the mind & body. So, we named the title 'Fallout - The Morning After', says Lenny Dee.

"The feel of the track was what we felt every weekend. I guess this is still true today with people & new parties. I am happy we un-knowingly touched on that. We were just expressing what we heard, played & most importantly what we went through along the way in our life".

"The Morning After (Sunrise Mix)" got the Honor to be part of WARP 10+1 Influences - a quintessential selection - as a recognition for being a primarly influential tune; it was also included on other historical compilations such as
Mad On House Volume 1, The History Of House So Far (a 10 LP Box set by Serious Records), Warehouse Raves 3 and Classic House 2 on Mastercuts.

I first heard this tune in May 1988 on the dancefloor at Spectrum. It is the pure essence of house music, absolutely a beautiful piece of music. The strings can bring a tear to your eye. This is a classic no doubt, top notch house music.

The bassline on this tune has the ability to cut through any tiredness you may be suffering on the dancefloor. It just lifts you up, and then drops you back down again in a fresher state of mind. Timeless genius.

It's no surprise people like TEKNONUTTER feel themselves welling up whilst listening to this tune. It's like it was designed to induce this kind of feeling, it's so beautiful and emotional, no other way to describe it. Oh yes, it brings back so many sweet memories, you can't escape the feeling. No wonder Grooverider, Fabio and LTJ Bukem rate it as the best house tune ever.

It is a wonderful piece of music, regardless the genre. Yes, mate , music, full stop.

This release truly makes the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end! So deep, so etheral, so funky, and so emotional. This was absolute heaven in 1989 "the summer of love" and brings back so many memories and emotions of that time I sometimes feel myself welling up whilst listening to it nowadays, no exaggeration! A masterpiece in its production and the choice of sounds, melodies and hooks, with one of the most infectious basslines ever made in house music. Original house music which for me is the defining track for the "UK summer of love". It just doesn't get any better than this...

Yes, of course quality! This one was a so much important influence for later generations of producers, especially the "Sunrise Mix". The track is rereleased on "10+1 Influences" album of Warp Records (WARP LP 067). And it's indeed a big acknowlege to be a musical influence to the founders of such a cult label!

Quality, and I mean Quality.
Very nice Techno/House track with a bouncing bassline and flutes and organs.
This tune has appeared in nearly every Chill-out CD I've done (for friends only).
Brings back so many memories of the early 90's rave culture.