A Certain Ratio

Up In Downsville

Image of A Certain Ratio - Up In Downsville

About this item

Springing forth from the punk era of the late 70s, A Certain Ratio carved their own niche by marrying the gloom and gristle of the Manchester's Factory era with a whole load of groove. Hailed universally as pioneers of what became known as ‘punk funk’ thanks to the success of ‘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, adding great clothes and the coolest haircuts. 

If Good Together saw A Certain Ratio translating the acid house ethos through conventional song, Up In Downsville was a sweat drenched return to the heart of the dance floor. Released on Rob Gretton’s plainly named imprint, the LP shuffles through melodic house, slick acid jazz and brooding electro-funk, pulling together the disparate strands of Manchester’s clubland into one infectious whole. The groove is king throughout but never hits harder than on LP closer Up In Downsville Pt.2, a flute led masterpiece of Mancunian funk which forms a wonderful contrast to enduring Balearic classic ‘Salvador’s (Fish)’, the album’s finest moment.

TRACK LISTING

LP Tracklisting
1 Manik
2 Turn Me On
3 Mello
4 Wonder Y
5 Up In Downsville Part 1
6 27 Forever
7 Tekno 4 An Answer
8 Salvador's Fish
9 Up In Downsville Part 2

CD Tracklisting
1 Manik
2 Turn Me On
3 Mello
4 Wonder Y
5 Up In Downsville Part 1
6 27 Forever
7 Tekno 4 An Answer
8 Salvador's Fish
9 Up In Downsville Part 2
10 27 Forever (Jon Dasilva Remix)
11 Mello (M People Remix)

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