A Certain Ratio Shares "Afro Dizzy"

A CERTAIN RATIO   SHARE AFROBEAT INSPIRED TRACK, ‘AFRO DIZZY’ FEATURING ELLEN BETH ABDI   THE LATEST FROM THEIR NEW STUDIO ALBUM 1982 OUT MARCH 31, 2023 ON MUTE   UK TOUR DETAILS FOR APRIL 2023 ANNOUNCED

credit: Paul Husband

A Certain Ratio have shared their searing afrobeat-inspired track, ‘Afro Dizzy,’ written around drum samples recorded by the late Nigerian master percussionist Tony Allen. The new single is the latest clue of what to expect from their forthcoming studio album, 1982 - out March 31, 2023 via Mute: https://mute.ffm.to/acr-1982   ‘Afro Dizzy’ features one of Manchester’s fastest-rising neo-soul musicians Ellen Beth Abdi. Though a newcomer to A Certain Ratio, it says a lot about the band’s progressive instincts that she’s already as central to the process as the members who’ve been there since the 1970s. For ‘Afro Dizzy’ she penned her own lyrics around a whirling instrumental based on a sample pack of drums by Tony Allen. ACR, who have long idolized Allen, had hoped to one day work with him, and wrote the music for the track just days after he died, in 2020.   Watch the video, an animation from artist and musician Tom Furse, and keep your eyes peeled for Tony Allen, who can be seen via archive footage: https://youtu.be/I1v0Bnr1J-Y   Even by the band’s high standards - which includes a gleeful disregard for boundaries of style and genre, their eye firmly fixed on constant movement forwards - their latest studio album 1982 is multidimensional. Recorded by the core ACR line up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, alongside Tony Quigley, Matthew Steele and Ellen Beth Abdi, it shoots off in every direction, whether via searing Afrobeat, mind-melting jazz breakdowns or moody electronic experiments.   And the album title? Although 1982 might conjure memories of the year that saw ACR put out both the acclaimed Sextet and the cult favorite I’d Like To See You Again, it’s more of a playful red herring than an invitation to nostalgia.   Looking backwards and forwards all at once, drawing on influences from across every spectrum, 1982 is an unpredictable record that will reward a dedicated listener dozens of times over.   Tune in to Soho Radio tonight from 8pm GMT, when Martin joins Chris Massey (Sprechen Music) on his ‘Thief of Time’ Soho Radio show with a 45-minute mix.   To celebrate the release of the album, A Certain Ratio will be embarking on a UK tour throughout April – full details below.     1982 Tracklisting 1. Samo 2. Waiting on a Train 3. 1982 4. A Trip in Hulme 5. Constant Curve 6. Afro Dizzy 7. Holy Smoke 8. Tier 3 9. Ballad of ACR 10. Constant Curve  A Certain Ratio Tour 20 April – Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms 21 April – Huddersfield, The Parish 22 April – Manchester, New Century Hall 23 April – Leeds, Brudenell  25 April – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms 26 April – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds 27 April – Bristol, The Exchange 29 April – London, The Garage  Pre-order 1982 Watch the animated video for “Afro Dizzy” Watch the video for “Waiting on a Train” A CERTAIN RATIO: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC | BANDCAMP MUTE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM