I remember reading on the 'Recycle' blog that there are differences between the 12" and LP versions of 'Fine Time', a fact that I was completely unaware of for 20 years or more.

I seem to think that, at the time of finding out, I checked the two versions and could hear some differences. However, now that I am listening to them again, I can't spot anything obvious.

Can anyone with younger / better ears point me to the bits of the mix that differ?

Ta.

Slightly different sound/sample at 1:17-1:19 is the only difference. Always wondered if this was intentionally different to the LP version, or if an alternate mixdown was used by mistake on one or the other? I prefer the sample on the 12", FWIW.

This particular section is edited out of the seven inch version.

At the 1:17 mark on the 12", the sound is more of a guitar bend/slide. Higher pitch, sharper sound, a little disorienting. At the same mark on the LP version it's 3 guitar chords strummed, with a flanger effect on them.

i'm sure they said "acid box it man...acid box it man....acid box it man"

I think you're right. Nice. Another thing I've learnt today.

MTO had a working title of 'MT One', and this was probably more to do with the Roland MT-32 that was used throughout Technique.

Mr Disco was 'Disco One', you'll be surprised to learn.

Edited by user 02 February 2018 02:18:48(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I know Steve hates this song, and it would probably be a real pain to re-sequence, but I've always loved it and wish it would make a return to the live set.

Yeah i remember too being massively disappointed when i first heard it, i thought it was utter crap.Mind you it was the 7" version i heard first on Radio 1.When i got my hands on the 12" i liked the track a lot more.It was great live back in the day.

I never really liked this track, but thought Don't Do It was a nice B side.

It never stopped me buying the 7", 12" and remixes (which I think are better).

The thing that did impress me about the 12" was the weight of the vinyl. I don't know if I got a mutant pressing but it was about twice the depth of a regular record.

I always thought it was weird, especially considering how short the content was. Typical Factory.

I never understood why FT didn't get more love. Certainly when they played it live - even in 1998 - it was an utter monster of a track.

I always enjoyed the Steve Hurley mix as it felt like he was trying to make a 'extended' 12" mix like the previous N.O. 12" A-sides.

I spliced together a long version taking as many of the unique elements from the various 12"s, LP, and 7" here : https://www.mixcloud.com...-time-fine-time-re-edit/ and became very familiar with the original mixes.

It's a fascinating construction that feels like its several songs all at once.

I get fairly tired of the constant negativity sometimes. In no way was FT a failed experiment. The band were young, loaded with tech and were involved in one of the most influential nightclubs in the world. If you think the band weren't going to get ripped to the tits on drink and drugs and then try to write songs that sounded like their hazy memory of a batshit crazy Saturday night out at the peak of their hedonism that's quite innocent. Also, they were recording and writing in that well known monastery of chaste prudence : Ibiza

Also, NO never did what they were told or what anyone else expected at that point. I never knew with any NO song whether it was going to be a 10 minute disco epic or a three minute bleeding heart guitar track. If they'd released Round & Round as the first single from Technique, no doubt someone would say it was just a lame rip off of TBTHOG and the band had run out of ideas. If they'd spent their career trying to live down to other peoples demands and produce an identikit run of songs that sounded like the old ones, they could have had a fate worse than Simple Fucking Minds.

Fine Time was always a great end to a sweaty night out when they played it, and the record sounds great to me now, and that's probably the best you can hope for from a song unless Bob Dylan wrote it.

Here here!
Fine Time is not only a song I still love, but at the time it was right in line with what I thought was so cool about NO - they just did things how they wanted. It was completely unexpected to me when I heard it and I still love them for that. I probably listen to Technique start to finish at east once a week