It All Comes Down to This is the brand new album from Manchester legends A Certain Ratio, produced by Speedy Wunderground’s Dan Carey.

This album takes A Certain Ratio back to their roots, featuring 10 straight-to-the-point tracks, with a sprinkling of electronics for good measure. It is the first time the band has recorded as the core 3-piece lineup of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop, and Donald Johnson, with no additional collaborators or members of the live setup. Following on from ACR's acclaimed 1982 album and the electrifying 2023 EP, It All Comes Down to This continues the lineage of constant progression demonstrated by the band.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A brilliant new album from Manchester's Certain Ratio and a stunning example of ACR's unique fusion of vibrant, groove-led indie music and post-punk adjacent stomp. 'It All Comes Down To This' could be their most definitive statement yet both wilfully celebratory, and brilliantly hefty. A perfect distillation of their hugely varied sound.

Laura says: Speedy Wunderground's Dan Carey, has managed a near perfect distillation of ACR's sound here, as the trio of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson draw on the post-punk-funk grooves of their early days while ruminating on the current state of the world. For me it's the best thing they've done in ages.

TRACK LISTING

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 All Comes Down To This
A2 Keep It Real
A3 We All Need
A4 Surfer Ticket
A5 Bitten By A Lizard
B1 God Knows
B2 Out From Under
B3 Estate Kings
B4 Where You Coming From
B5 Dorothy Says

CD Tracklist
1 All Comes Down To This
2 Keep It Real
3 We All Need
4 Surfer Ticket
5 Bitten By A Lizard
6 God Knows
7 Out From Under
8 Estate Kings
9 Where You Coming From
10 Dorothy Says

A Certain Ratio present their recording of the ‘Loco Live at Hope Mill Studios’ session, originally a live stream of the band’s sensational 2020 album ‘ACR Loco’.

After a 12-year hiatus releasing albums, ‘ACR Loco’ was created by a confident and revitalised ACR. The band had jumped back into the studio after their most successful tour in over 20 years to record ‘ACR Loco’, and in the lead up to the release, they filmed and recorded this live session at the heart of the Manchester music scene - Hope Mill Studios. The session featured Maria Uzor of Sink Ya Teeth on vocals and the recorded vocals of the much-missed Denise Johnson.

“‘ACR Loco’ feels more than anything like a celebration - the long awaited re-arrival of one of the best bands to ever bring post-punk to the dancefloor.” - Treble

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to ‘ACR:Loco’, a forward-looking genre-defying slice of musical majesty.” - Narc

“On their first new album in over a decade, Manchester’s funkiest post-punk band offer an imperfect distillation of their 40-year legacy, updating their classic sound with nods to contemporary beat-driven music and political strife.” - Pop Matters

TRACK LISTING

Friends Around Us (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
Bouncy Bouncy (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
Yo Yo Gi (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
Supafreak (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
Always In Love (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
Family (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
Get A Grip (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
Berlin (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
What’s Wrong (Live At Hope Mill Studios)
Taxi Guy (Live At Hope Mill Studios)

Manchester legends, A Certain Ratio, are back with their brand new 2023 EP on limited edition 12” vinyl.

This follows the release of their album 1982, and includes 3 remixes of tracks from the record and a brand new track ‘Day by Day’. The remixers on the EP are fellow mancunians Werkha and Jade Parker, as well as close friend Andy Meecham aka Emperor Machine, who originally contributed keyboards and electronic percussion to the very track he’s reworked, ‘Constant Curve.’ The EP also includes a remix of the popular single ‘SAMO’, which spent 4 weeks on the BBC 6Music playlist, accompanied by an animated lyric video paying homage to the graffiti tag it was named after by Al Diaz and American artist and wunderkind, Jean-Michel Basquiat. The final track on the EP is a remix of ‘Waiting on a Train’, presenting a new and special version of the original song, with the presence of the featuring artists, Ellen Beth Abdi and Chunky, remaining strong.

Formed in 1978 with a core line-up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, A Certain Ratio emerged from the hallowed grounds of the late 70s punk scene, and from that day on they’ve moved forwards with gleeful disregard for the boundaries of style and genre, their eye fixed firmly on constant progression.

To celebrate their 45th anniversary and support the release on 2023 EP, ACR will be taking to the road to play a select number of shows in the UK and Europe, which will see them play all of their 45s in chronological order across 2 sets in one evening in venues hand picked by the band all with limited capacity.

TRACK LISTING

A1 Day By Day
A2 SAMO (Werkha Remix)
B1 Constant Curve - Feat. Ellen Beth Abdi (Emperor Machine Extended Rework)
B1 Waiting On A Train - Feat. Ellen Beth Abdi & Chunky (Jade Parker Remix) 

A Certain Ratio’s greatest strength has always been their unpredictability. They’ve always moved with gleeful disregard for the boundaries of style and genre, their eye fixed firmly on constant progression. It’s an ethos that’s open-minded over all else, and that’s seen them take everything from experimental electronica to vintage funk, filtered through their own Mancunian lens.

And their latest studio album 1982 is no different in its unpredictable multidimensional nature. It shoots off in every direction, whether via searing Afrobeat, mind- melting jazz breakdowns or moody electronic experiments all with pop hooks and irresistible dance rhythms.

It might be called 1982, but it’s no nostalgia trip, fearlessly facing up to the future and running at it with full speed.

The album follows ACR Loco and EP:ACR in what is turning out to be the band’s most creative period, unmistakably ACR and unmistakably like nothing else.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: There are few bands that manage to competently pull together as many influences as ACR do, and have been doing since the late 70's. It's no surprise then that '1982' is a groove-filled odyssey, dipping seamlessly into disco, afrobeat and funk as they are wont to do. Brilliantly inventive, endlessly innovative and most importantly, hugely enjoyable.

TRACK LISTING

1 Samo
2 Waiting On A Train
3 1982
4 A Trip In Hulme
5 Tombo In M3
6 Constant Curve
7 Afro Dizzy
8 Holy Smoke
9 Tier 3
10 Ballad Of ACR

A Certain Ratio’s greatest strength has always been their unpredictability. They’ve always moved with gleeful disregard for the boundaries of style and genre, their eye fixed firmly on constant progression. It’s an ethos that’s open-minded over all else, and that’s seen them take everything from experimental electronica to vintage funk, filtered through their own Mancunian lens.

And their latest studio album 1982 is no different in its unpredictable multidimensional nature. It shoots off in every direction, whether via searing Afrobeat, mind- melting jazz breakdowns or moody electronic experiments all with pop hooks and irresistible dance rhythms.

It might be called 1982, but it’s no nostalgia trip, fearlessly facing up to the future and running at it with full speed.

The album follows ACR Loco and EP:ACR in what is turning out to be the band’s most creative period, unmistakably ACR and unmistakably like nothing else.

TRACK LISTING

1 Samo
2 Waiting On A Train
3 1982
4 A Trip In Hulme
5 Tombo In M3
6 Constant Curve
7 Afro Dizzy
8 Holy Smoke
9 Tier 3
10 Ballad Of ACR

A Certain Ratio presents ‘EP:ACR’, the unity of their EP trilogy series on CD. This includes ‘ACR:EPA’, ‘ACR:EPC’ and ‘ACR:EPR’, and will be the first time that these 2021 titles are made available on CD.

The first part is ‘EPA’, dedicated to Denise Johnson. It features the band’s final recordings with Denise and came about when they used up some remaining time booked in the studio for a day jam with no fixed agenda, and the result is something very special.

Next up is ‘EPC’, a collaboration EP with Andy Meecham (Emperor Machine), Maria Uzor from Sink Ya Teeth, Jacknife Lee, and Chris Massey (who remixed their song ‘Dirty Boy’ back in 2019). The whole EP is dedicated to longtime ACR friend Andrew Weatherall, the inspiration for the song ‘Guv’nor’, which the band describe as “a collaboration in spirit.”

The final piece of the trilogy is ‘EPR’, which was recorded with the internal brief that ‘anything goes’. EPR includes Part 2 and Part 1 (in that order!) of the mesmerising ‘$ouls In The City’, followed by the insanely catchy ‘Night People’, ‘Big Boy Pants’ and the final track ‘Downtime Vibes’, a hypnotic piece of repetitive rhythms built up around a set of chimes that Jez found in the back of his car.

TRACK LISTING

Wonderland (Jam 6)
Keep It Together (Jam 5)
Down And Dirty (Jam 2)
Feel No Fear (Jam 1)
Emperor Machine (ACR Vs
The Emperor Machine)
The Guv’nor
YOYOGRIP (Long)
Musik Kontrol (ACR Vs
Massey)
$ouls In The City Part 2 & 1
Night People
Big Boy Pants
Downtime Vibes

Following their latest trifecta of EP releases, A Certain Ratio return with the remix album Loco Remezclada. The remix album takes all 10 tracks from 2020’s ACR Loco + ‘Down & Dirty’ from EPA and puts them in the hands of a sensational selection of producers and artists including Lou Hayter, LoneLady, Lounge Society, The Orielles, Maps, Sink Ya Teeth, Skream, Doctor Pieter, Chris Massey, Colleen Cosmo, Number and Muddy Feet. 

TRACK LISTING

Double Vinyl Tracklisting
Down & Dirty (Mr Dan Remix)
Friends Around Us (Lou Hayter Remix)
Bouncy Bouncy (Chop & Drop Lonelady Mix)
Yo Yo Gimix (The Orielles Remix)
Supafreak (Massey Mix)
Always In Love (Skream Remix)
Family (Finger Tip Mix Suite)
Get A Grip (Maps Remix)
Berlin (Cosmodelica Remix)
What’s Wrong (SYT DMT Remix)
Taxi Guy (Number Rework)

Triple Vinyl Tracklisting
Down & Dirty (Mr Dan Remix)
Friends Around Us (Lou Hayter Remix)
Bouncy Bouncy (Chop & Drop Lonelady Mix)
Yo Yo Gimix (The Orielles Remix)
Supafreak (Massey Mix)
Always In Love (Skream Remix)
Family (Finger Tip Mix Suite)
Get A Grip (Maps Remix)
Berlin (Cosmodelica Remix)
What’s Wrong (SYT DMT Remix)
Taxi Guy (Number Rework)
Always In Love (Muddy Feet Remix)
Friends Around Us (The Lounge Society Remix)

CD Tracklisting
Down & Dirty (Mr Dan Remix)
Friends Around Us (Lou Hayter Remix)
Bouncy Bouncy (Chop & Drop Lonelady Mix)
Yo Yo Gimix (The Orielles Remix)
Supafreak (Massey Mix)
Always In Love (Skream Remix)
Family (Finger Tip Mix Suite)
Get A Grip (Maps Remix)
Berlin (Cosmodelica Remix)
What’s Wrong (SYT DMT Remix)
Taxi Guy (Number Rework)
Always In Love (Muddy Feet Remix)
Friends Around Us (The Lounge Society Remix)

ALL COPIES SIGNED BY THE BAND.

ACR:EPR is the last of a trilogy of EPs by A Certain Ratio.

Recorded with the internal brief of anything goes, ACR complete their trilogy of Eps with these four tracks, the mesmerising $ouls In The City is made up of Part 2 and Part 1, in that order, followed by the insanely catchy Night People, Big Boy Pants which was named after Joe Biden when he won the US election as it was mixed on the same day and the final track Downtime Vibes, which is a hypnotic piece of repetitive rhythms built up around a set of chimes that Jez found in the back of his car.

TRACK LISTING

$ouls In The City Part 2 & 1
Night People
Big Boy Pants
Downtime Vibes

A Certain ratio release four special edition pressings to commemorate the release of their new album ‘ACR LOCO’. ‘Sextet’ is the band’s third album and a firm fan favourite with Tilly on vocals. Includes the haunting ‘Lucinda’.

TRACK LISTING

Lucinda
Crystal
Gum
Knife Slits Water
Skipscada
Day One
Rub Down
Rialto
Below The Canal

A Certain ratio release four special edition pressings to commemorate the release of their new album ‘ACR LOCO’. ‘I’d Like To See You Again’ is album number four and ACR pushed their sounds into new directions again. This is a more jazz-infused album that continues to receive critical acclaim today after the initial confused reaction, just like all the real classic albums that were misunderstood originally.

TRACK LISTING

Touch
Saturn
Hot Knights
I’d Like To See You Again
Show Case
Sesamo Apriti – Corco Vada
Axis
Guess Who

A Certain ratio release four special edition pressings to commemorate the release of their new album ‘ACR LOCO’. ‘To Each’ was the band’s second release, a double album that pushed them in a new direction creatively. Includes the classic and live favourites ‘The Fox’ and ‘Winter Hill’.

TRACK LISTING

Felch
My Spirit
Forced Laugh
Choir
Back To The Start
The Fox
Loss
Oceans
Winter Hill

‘Berlin’ is the second single to be taken from the new A Certain Ratio album ‘ACR Loco’, a remarkable piece of work that is steeped in 40 years of ACR DNA.

Includes the original version of ‘Dirty Boy’.

TRACK LISTING

Berlin
Dirty Boy (Original)

Back with their first new album in 12 years, a confident and revitalised ACR jumped back into the studio following their most successful tour in over 20 years. 

ACR Loco feels like an accumulation of ACR's DNA from point zero in 1977 through to 2020 and sounds like a band who have effortlessly perfected their craft. An album to dance to, cry to, fall in love to and most importantly, to party to. 

ACR Loco by the core ACR members Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, are joined by long term partners Tony Quigley, Denise Johnson and Matt Steele, plus special guests Sink Ya Teeth’s Maria Uzor and Gemma Cullingford, Factory Floor’s Gabe Gurnsey and Manchester luminaries Mike Joyce and Eric Random.

TRACK LISTING

1 Friends Around Us
2 Bouncy Bouncy 
3 Yo Yo Gi
4 Supafreak
5 Always In Love
6 Family
7 Get A Grip
8 Berlin
9 What’s Wrong
10 Taxi Guy

Love Record Stores Edition available from 9am on Saturday June 20th.
Limited to one per person.

First new track in 12 years. White vinyl.

THE PICCADILLY RECORDS REISSUE/COLLECTION OF THE YEAR 2018.

A Certain Ratio were born of the Manchester punk/post punk explosion of the late 70s, but while they took on the bleak aggression of the former and the spiky experimentation of the latter, they were rooted in another tradition. By the time their second single, the incredible opium funk dream of "Flight" was released in 1980 on Factory Records, it was obvious that the apparently unlikely union of brooding post punk with dub and funk rhythms was a marriage made in heaven - If heaven is the right word.

"Set" follows their current set list (hence the title), pulling material from across their incredibly diverse career. It's perhaps only fitting that two thirds of the collection dates from 1979-1986, while they were signed to Factory, when they arguably produced their finest and most inventive material. If "Shack Up" added a mutant snarl to the Banbarra classic and "Flight" was eerie and sublime, "Knife Slits Water" was a signpost for their future direction, moving away from the paranoia and angst of their earlier sound and introducing a lighter and more loose limbed samba, jazz dance and tropical funk groove. The brighter feel was further cemented by "Wild Party", a moody boogie blend incorporating street soul and electro which perfectly conjured it's title, and the P-funk genius of "Mickey Way” which went on, appropriately enough, to become a Hacienda favourite.

The move to A & M brought another diversion, into acid house euphoria, represented here by "Good Together"; this, and the silky, emotive pop of "Won't Stop Loving You", here remixed by Bernard Sumner, were both enhanced by the gorgeous vocal talents of Denise Johnson. There is new material here too, in the shape of "Dirty Boy" featuring Barry Adamson; but, even leaving aside the astonishing span and prolific nature of their output, what is truly amazing is that through all the extraordinary range of their sound they have always maintained a distinct and coherent identity. That takes real talent.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: An essential package featuring some of the greatest ACR tunes to be committed to tape, with definitive 12" versions sitting brilliantly alongside a couple tracks exclusive to this release. An essential for any fan, and sure to make a few new fans as well!

TRACK LISTING

Do The Du (Casse) (1979)
Wild Party - 12” Version (1985)
Flight - 12” Version (1980)
And Then Again - 12” Version (1980)
Forced Laugh (1981)
Wonder Y (1992)
Mickey Way (12” Version, 1986)
27 Forever - 7” Version (1991)
Won’t Stop Loving You - Bernard Sumner Mix (1990)
Good Together - 12” Version (1990)
Be What You Wanna Be - 12” Version (1990)
Shack Up - 7” Version (1980)
The Fox - US 12” Version (1980)
Knife Slits Water - 7” Version (1982)
Si Firmir O Grido (1986)
Dirty Boy Extended - Featuring Barry Adamson (2018)
Make It Happen (2018)

This is the latest instalment in an ongoing collaboration with Mute and follows the release of The Graveyard And The Ballroom, To Each, Force, acr:mcr, I’d Like To See You Again, Up In Downsville and the long out of print album Good Together.
Change The Station (1986) – An abstract album that sees A Certain Ratio bring the funk to laid back ambience in a way that only they could. The party is still there and it’s more hypnotic than ever.

TRACK LISTING

1 Listen To The Sound
2 Some Day
3 You're On Your Own
4 Waiting For You
5 Yeah Boy
6 Sister Brother
7 Desire
8 Samba 123
9 Pole
10 Do Du Beep
11 Golden Balls
12 Funk Off
13 Groove (E)

Self-produced at Revolution Studio, Sextet saw the original Ratio quintet of Donald Johnson, Jeremy Kerr, Martin Moscrop, Simon Topping and Peter Terrell joined by co-vocalist Martha ‘Tili’ Tilson. Written and recorded following a transformative sojourn in New York in late 1980, the album reflects Latin, samba and even jazz influences (eg Skipscada; Day One), while still retaining Ratio’s signature brittle funk textures, heard in full effect on Lucinda, Gum and trancelike floor filler Knife Slits Water. .

“It all came together for us on Sextet really,” confirms bassist (and latterly vocalist) Jez Kerr. “We were all working together - more involved in the recording, and what went down onto tape. It's definitely got something that the other albums haven’t.” 

TRACK LISTING

1 Lucinda
2 Crystal
3 Gum
4 Knife Slits Water
5 Skipscada
6 Day One
7 Rub Down
8 Rialto
9 Below The Canal

Produced by Ratio in Manchester between 2006 and 2009, "Mind Made Up" marks a stunning return to hard-edged funky form. 'The songs are timeless and true to ACR's roots,' says Donald Johnson. 'The emphasis was placed on keeping it simple in the studio. Trickery was kept to a minimum and we never took more than three takes on any track.' Adds Martin Moscrop: 'Most songs we jammed in rehearsal one week and recorded the next, so that they were rough round the edges. And the lyrics are some of the best Jez has ever produced. You'll also hear old ACR influences throughout the album. "Teri" was actually the first song ACR ever wrote, but it has never been recorded or released until now.' 

TRACK LISTING

1 I Feel Light
2 Down, Down, Down
3 Everything Is Good
4 Way To Escape
5 Rialto 06
6 Mind Made Up
7 Teri
8 Bird To The Ground
9 Starlight
10 Which Is Reality
11 Skunk
12 Very Busy Man

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. 

Alive and well and on A&M after the Factory split, A Certain Ratio were in euphoric and emotive form for 1989’s Good Together. Bursting with the boundless positivity of the acid house era, the LP sees ACR divert their usual funk into the baggy sound of the time, exploiting conventional song structures to convey themes of togetherness and hope. Soulful, smooth and packed with proper anthems, including the saucy eyed serenade ‘The Big E’ and the wriggling acid pop of the title track, ‘Good Together’ remains the ACR of choice for ageing ravers everywhere.

TRACK LISTING

1 Your Blue Eyes
2 Your Little World
3 The Big E
4 God's Own Girl
5 Love Is The Way
6 Backs To The Wall
7 River's Edge
8 Every Pleasure
9 Coldest Days
10 Good Together
11 Repercussions
12 2000 A√:

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)

As part of the ongoing collaboration with Mute Recordings Several of their albums will be released, including the long out of print albums 'acr:mcr' and 'Good Together.'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 1978, the band had various members throughout their career, and a core line-up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson.

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. They have gone on to influence generations of musicians - from LCD Soundsystem, Happy Mondays, Franz Ferdinand, ESG, Factory Floor and Andrew Weatherall. 

TRACK LISTING

1 Spirit Dance
2 Won't Stop Loving You
3 BTTW 90
4 Be What You Wanna Be
5 Good Together
6 Funky Heaven
7 Tribeca
8 Repercussions Live

Following the new wave classic Sextet, this Manchester/New York post-punk funk unit's third album, I'd Like to See You Again, points toward a more minimal, stripped-down funk sound. This was apparently influenced heavily by the New York club scene of the early '80s, in which A Certain Ratio immersed themselves following their formation in Manchester. The departure of vocalist Martha Tilson left the band working in a more rhythmic instrumental approach, eschewing the pop forms of Sextet and focusing on a harder electro-funk sound. While this revealed the influence of time spent in club culture and marked a radical departure from the melancholy Manchester sound of their previous albums, the band kept their melodic passages intact, which created a tension between bright and dark moods that was the striking characteristic of their best work. The fact that this album fared well on the dancefloor some 20 years after its release may indicate that A Certain Ratio was ahead of their time. Their influence could be heard cropping up in strains of the Brit-pop, techno, post-rock, and house of the late '90s. Hence, I'd Like to See You Again is an album that deserves a revisit. Essential listening for fans of the Factory sound that spawned the British club sound exemplified by New Order and the New York wave of minimal funk groups, like Liquid Liquid and ESG.. 

TRACK LISTING

1 Touch
2 Saturn
3 Hot Knights
4 I'd Like To See You Again
5 Show Case
6 Sesamo Apriti - Corco Vada
7 Axis
8 Guess Who

Re-release of the fifth album by iconic post-punk funk outfit A Certain Ratio, originally released by Factory Records in November 1986 and described by drummer Donald Johnson as "the Mike Tyson of funk".

Force marked a return to form for Ratio, mixing the robust funk grooves of lead single Mickey Way with more downtempo tracks, as well as Si Firmi O Grido, the percussive tour de force that still provides a reliable climax to live performances. In addition to pin-sharp rhythm and groove the album also displayed a certain pop sensibility, courtesy of guest vocalist Corinne Drewery of Swing Out Sister. The album was also one of the first to utilise the brand new Akai S900 sampler.

TRACK LISTING

1 Only Together
2 Bootsy
3 Fever 103
4 Naked And White
5 Mickey Way
6 And Then She Smiles
7 Take Me Down
8 Anthem
9 Inside
10 Nostromo A Go Go
11 Si Firmir O Grido

This first album was originally only released on cassette and was compiled from a collection of early four-track recordings and a set of live tracks recorded when the band was opening for the Talking Heads. The sound is good for lo-fi recordings, and the band is, for all of their musical amateurishness, precise and controlled. Those seeking an idiosyncratic, interesting art-funk band can do no wrong with this release.

“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,” reads the press notes. “ACR always do what I don’t expect, who wouldn’t want to work with artists like that?” Mute Records boss Daniel Miller adds. Though various members have come and gone, a core line-up of Jeremy Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson has always remained.

TRACK LISTING

1 Felch
2 My Spirit
3 Forced Laugh
4 Choir
5 Back To The Start
6 The Fox
7 Loss
8 Oceans
9 Winter Hill