"Release the Pressure" is the third single by the English electronic duo Leftfield and the first to involve Paul Daley with writing duties after he joined the group. The song was released exclusively on 12" in 1992. Unlike previous releases that had been released on the Outer Rhythm record label, Leftfield had now officially split from Outer Rhythm. Major labels had offered them deals but neither member wanted to give up creative control to any major company.[citation needed] They formed the Hard Hands record label with "Release the Pressure" being the label's first official release. The song featured reggae singer Earl Sixteen on vocals, with a lyric taken from his 1981 single "Trial and Crosses". "Release the Pressure" made the top 20 in the UK charts and featured at number one in the Melody Maker "Stone Free Chart of the Year". It was used in Telefónica O2 and O2 (UK) commercials during its first year.
In 1996, an updated version of "Release the Pressure" was released as the eighth single under the Leftfield name. It was released on 12", CD and Cassette on 8 January 1996. It featured Earl Sixteen and on vocals with ad libs by Papa Dee. The song reached #13 in the UK charts. There were also four different remixes of the song with different ones as B-sides to the different format releases.
Critical reception[]
Music Week gave the 1996 version three out of five, describing it as a "very commercial dubtechno tune."[1] Brad Beatnik from the magazine's RM Dance Update, rated it five out of five, picking it as Tune of the Week. He added that it is a "cool, soulful ragga-fuelled track" and concluded with that "once again, the production quality is superb and Leftfield provide plenty for the feet and the mind."[2]
^Beatnik, Brad (9 December 1995). "Hot Vinyl: Tune of the Week"(PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 9. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
