"...ACR made some of the most seminal yet underrated post-punk, avant-pop, and tweaked funk of an era filled with hybrid explorations…one of the most vital bands of their time." – PITCHFORKA CERTAIN RATIO have shared a track called
“Make It Happen,” one of two brand new compositions from their forthcoming career-spanning compilation,
acr:set. The compilation will be released on colored double vinyl, CD and digital formats on
October 12.
“Make It Happen” is a joyous burst of positivity that serves as a great introduction for newcomers to the band and a worthy addition to ACR’s incredible back catalog. Listen
here.
Two new tracks, “Dirty Boy” and “Make It Happen,” were recorded at Oxygene in Manchester and appear on the new best of compilation,
acr:set. The album is made up of tracks that feature in the band’s incendiary live show (hence the title), and includes rare 7” and 12” mixes alongside sleeve notes by DJ and writer Dave Haslam. Pre-order
acr:set here.
“
Dirty Boy” is a classic slice of A Certain Ratio pop-funk and features the voice of Factory Records co-founder
Tony Wilson preparing the band for “The Fox” recording session in his own inimitable fashion, plus vocals from
Barry Adamson, who returns a favor to the band after they reworked 2017’s
“I Got Clothes." Listen to “Dirty Boy”
here.
A Certain Ratio, known for their carnival atmosphere live performances have been playing blistering shows throughout 2017 and 2018. Recent sold out dates have included London and Brighton (with Sink Ya Teeth, who recently released their debut album) and Hebden Bridge (with Andrew Weatherall).
Forthcoming dates include an appearance at
Rough Trade East on
October 13, part of the Mute 4.0 Takeover that also includes Chris Carter, Simon Fisher Turner, Lost Under Heaven and Maps. 2018’s dates will be followed by 40th anniversary shows next year.
A CERTAIN RATIO UK TOUROctober 13 – London, England – Rough Trade East (Mute 4.0 Takeover)
November 24 – Manchester, England – Gorilla w/ Sink Ya Teeth
December 1 – Clitheroe, England – The Grand
A Certain Ratio are supporters of Artists Against Hunger and will donate £1 for each ticket sold in 2018. For further details, please go to http://againsthunger.uk/acrACR live is Jez Kerr, Donald Johnson, Martin Moscrop, Denise Johnson, Tony Quigley and recent addition on keyboards, Matt Steele, who has adapted to the ACR groove seamlessly.
A Certain Ratio embraced the ethic and culture of the late seventies post-punk explosion, but sounded like nothing else around them and refused to fit in. Formed in Manchester in 1978, the band has had various members throughout their career, with a core line-up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson that remains today.
An influence on generations of musicians – from LCD Soundsystem, Happy Mondays, Franz Ferdinand, ESG, Factory Floor, Sink Ya Teeth and Andrew Weatherall – the band’s involvement in cultural touchpoints is sometimes unexpected: a recent exhibition at Stockport’s Strawberry Studios uncovered the tape box, but not the tapes, from a recording session with Grace Jones back in 1980 and Madonna’s live debut was supporting A Certain Ratio at the famous Danceteria in New York in 1982.
The band released their first single – which was produced by Martin Hannett – for the legendary Factory Records in 1979 and went on to be hailed universally as pioneers of what became known as “punk funk” thanks to the success of their second single, “Shack Up,” on both sides of the Atlantic.
Their sound is not easily pigeon holed and their influence can never be understated. The band introduced the avant-garde elements of funk, jazz, electronics, tape loops and technology to the pop song, wrapping it in a post punk aesthetic.
No comments:
Post a Comment