Back To Basics

Lovin memory of Alastair Cook and Jocelyn Higgins who we sadly lost 33 years ago in a car crash when we were on our way to a gig at the sub club in Glasgow, not a single day goes by without that fateful day coming into mind .

British poet Alfred Tennyson. Wrote these words about losing his best friend

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

Although I understand the sentiment, I would give anything to still have them both here with us now to still keep loving them the way we did.

It was Andrew Weatherall himself who wrote those words in his obituary for Alistair in the April 3, 1993, issue of NME.

At the time, Weatherall was one of the most respected figures in the UK scene, and his decision to write a full tribute in a national magazine like NME was a massive statement.
He wasn't just reporting a loss; he was telling the whole country that what was happening in Leeds—and what Ali had built—was culturally vital, without a shadow of a doubt Alastair would’ve gone on to shape and change the course of electronic music.

“He was a large character in every sense, but above all, a genuinely decent one... He was not just part of the fabric of the UK burgeoning dance music scene; he was one of its architects."

Ali wasn’t just my best friend and co-founder Back to Basics he was my right arm. I loved him more than I could love a brother.

We didn’t just lose a friend and Ralph’s girlfriend we lost two of the most beautiful souls that I’ve ever walked this planet May they both rest in peace and never be forgotten. Forever young .

The last track of the Back to basics album cut the crap. Andrew wrote Smokebelch for Ali

Back To Basics Andrew Weatherall Cut The Crap Is - Lucy And The Mango Man 7:18Nangpa - Ijakk 5:0411.59 - Freeman 3:36Skylab - Indigo (Sabres Remix) 3:44The Kromozones - Forever 3:21Jaziac Sunflowers - ...

Back To Basics Andrew Weatherall Cut The Crap Is - Lucy And The Mango Man 7:18Nangpa - Ijakk 5:0411.59 - Freeman 3:36Skylab - Indigo (Sabres Remix) 3:44The Kromozones - Forever 3:21Jaziac Sunflowers - ...

We are family 🎶bless this pic great moment not before time thank you everyone. Looks like a fleetwood Mac album cover 🤩🤩😂❤️

back to basics back together @backtobasics_91 always felt like being in a band and bands are like families and both don’t always get along… until at a certain moment in time it all just seems like history. It was indeed special to have @s_p_e_c_i_a_l_r_e_q_u_e_s_t back doing what he does best which is closing a club. Heartwarming to have my ol’ mucker @huggym00n re-uniting the Wulf n’ Bear chapter of @2020vision_recordings alongside the inimitable James Holroyd @absolutebegin. We realised even ‘our kid’ @tristagram_da_cunha had been serving for 25 years now with a welcome b2b with another ‘newbie’ that’s kinda smashing it these days @kepler__uk Might not be as well known but you’d never get a gig at basics if you weren’t hot on the decks and @frenchyb2b @jonmwoodall have always been just that. World famous round ‘ere and probably the OG UKG DJ in Leeds @djleewright_ played a wonderful session. And of course the gaffer @davebeero proving he’s not just the promoter with a storming set. Lovely to see the Next Gen on the floor with @eviebeer @zakklawwson @joe_r_22 & Samron Huggett leading the charge… Many, many thanks @mintwarehouseleeds for putting up with us and @foz100 for pulling it all together. And of course thank you all for dancing your arses off, it was lovely to re-connect. #leeds ain’t done yet #backtobasics #housemusic all night long