808 State – Lift / Open Your Mind

I have this 12 but the sleeve has the full color art + promo stamp (I'm not seeing this version on Discogs.

Not 808's most famous track but a great release all the same, you know you don't expect the norm from these guys & "Lift" doesn't disappoint with its quirky beats and disjointed feel with the different sounds that just seem to work so effortlessly, but I think its the rift with the strings that really makes the track. Plenty of mixes to choose from & for me on this 12" its the "Heavy Mix" that's worth a listen.

There is also a US Cassette on Tommy Boy, tracklisting identical to US CD 808 State - Lift, according to 808state.com. It is not listed on Discogs at this time.

Original is very medicinal, love how they manage to keep it Northern sounding & blissed out like cruising round the dales lol. But it's the heavy mix for me. Heavy mix is heavy.

I had this to say about it in 2001: Being the last single from ex:el, you would think it would be pretty good, but every mix of "Lift" is just dreadful, and the B-side is even worse.

You could describe ‘Lift‘ as uplifting music, or music for lifts, of which it is both. Reminiscent of Orbital’s ‘Chime’ this is fantastic electronica on many levels.

'Lift' is very much an underrated 808 State track. It's gliding early 1960's vibe give it a wonderfully idyllic feel, and the percussion and beats are as weird'n'wacky as you'd expect from these guys.