XL Recordings was founded in 1989 by Tim Palmer and Nick Halkes to release dance music.
In 1992, Russell released a single titled "The Bouncer" as part of a duo named Kicks Like a Mule.
[2] The Guardian described the song as rave music that was "knocked into shape in about five hours" which "crossed over from pirate radio to reach number seven in the charts.
The album features various producers including Russell, Dan the Automator, Jneiro Jarel, T-E-E-D, Rodaidh McDonald and Kwes alongside various local musicians from Congo.
[4] In 2012, Russell and Damon Albarn co-produced The Bravest Man in the Universe, the new studio album from Bobby Womack.