"Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (also titled "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place London)") is a hard trance song by Scottish electronic music group Public Domain, written and produced by the group's three members: Mark Sherry, Alistair MacIsaac, and James Allan. It samples a remix of New Order's song "Confusion", which was featured in the 1998 superhero horror film Blade, the source of the track's title. "Operation Blade" is also based on the theme to the 1982 science-fiction film Blade Runner.
The song was released on 20 November 2000 as Public Domain's debut single. On 26 November, it debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart and stayed at that position for another week. Throughout December 2000 and early 2001, the track charted in at least 10 other countries, peaking within the top 10 in Australia, Austria, Germany, and Norway. It was also critically successful, with British publication NME calling it "hardcore brilliance". In April 2001, it was included on Public Domain's only studio album, Hard Hop Superstars.
Critical reception British music journalism website NME called "Operation Blade" a "gleefully manic song" and described it as "no-frills hardcore brilliance". Matthias Völlm of Swiss CHR radio station Radio 105 called the song "good" but doubted its airplay potential.
Track listings UK, European, and Australian CD single "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (7-inch radio edit) "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (original mix) "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (B'n'G vs Musico remix)
UK 12-inch single A. "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (original mix) B. "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (B'n'G vs Musico remix)
UK cassette single A. "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (7-inch radio edit) B. "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (B'n'G vs Musico remix)
UK 12-inch single (2006 remix) A. "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (2006 remix) – 8:15 B. "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" (2006 XXX remix) – 7:54
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2000–2001)PeakpositionAustralian Club Chart (ARIA)1Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)22
Year-end charts Chart (2000)PositionUK Singles (OCC)43 Chart (2001)PositionAustralia (ARIA)25Australian Club Chart (ARIA)12Australian Dance (ARIA)2Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)44Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)82Germany (Media Control)60UK Singles (OCC)188
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)IDUnited Kingdom20 November 200012-inch vinylXtrahardX2H112Europe8 January 2001CDXTR 670670Australia15 January 2001670670.2United KingdomDecember 200512-inch vinyl (2006 remix)XtrahardBLADE2006
References
External links The story behind "Public Domain – Operation Blade" with Mark Sherry Muzikxpress 064