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Backtrax with Nick Collings

The Shamen - Ebeneezer Goode (One Little Indian) - 1992

In September 1992 one Scottish electronic act spent 4 weeks at number 1 in the UK pop charts ending Snaps euro classic “Rhythm Is A Dancer” reign at the top.

The group was The Shamen, consisting of original members Colin Angus, Derek & Keith McKenzie under the alias of Alone Again Or. Later on they changed their name to "The Shamen" and added member Will Sinnott to fuse guitar, sampled sounds and Hip-Hop beats.

The tune in question was a catchy yet controversial track “Ebezeneer Goode”. Richard West aka Mr C (Co-owner of nightclub The End in London) was at the helm as the vocalist of The Shamen at the release date. The track caught so much attention due to its drug connotations. The chorus reads "'Eezer Goode, 'Eezer Goode/He's Ebeneezer Goode", which is a reference to ecstasy. "Es’ are good, Es’ are good, these effin' E's are good. In the UK the rave scene was in full flight and the promotion of such party supplies was prevalent in the pop charts (mainly due to The Prodigy - Charly).

The main mix used on radio was in fact a remix. Put together by British trio The Beatmasters. The Beatmasters track record included productions for such diverse acts as Betty Boo, The Cookie Crew, Moby, Erasure and The Pet Shop Boys. Ebezeneer Goode reached Number 23 in our RIANZ pop charts at that time and was a club hit. It is to date The Shamens best selling track. The original mix can be found on The “Boss Drum” album with other follow up singles “Move Any Mountain” and “Phorever People”. What makes everything even more ironic is when “Ebeneezer Goode’ first hit Number 1 in the UK it was during the BBC drug awareness week.

Naughty Naughty Very Naughty...

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