Considering the lashings of hyperbolae surrounding the Manchester music scene over the years, A Certain Ratio, one of the city’s finest musical contingent, have managed to avoid excessive limelight despite being namechecked in “24 Hour Party People”.
This is indeed no small feat considering the band’s debut single, the lopsided, tetchy yet forward looking ‘All Night Party’, became the very first non-compilation release on the fledgling Factory Records label in 1979 (Catalogue number FAC 5), beating the likes of OMD and Joy Division to the tape.
During those early pioneering days, ACR were hailed by Tony Wilson as the new Pistols although their unique Stateside influenced dub-funk groove created by Kerr, Topping and Terrell, complemented by Martin Hannett’s wizardry at the controls seemed closer to Lydon’s PiL than his Great Rock and Roll Swindlers. A Peel Session duly followed, a much-coveted badge of honour amongst their peers at the time with DIY compilation cassette “The Graveyard and the Ballroom” appearing in 1980, ahead of several infectious singles including “Shack-Up” and “Du the Du”, the latter released in the US, achieving minor chart success.
Success for ACR was largely confined to the Independent Charts (two No.1 albums and a bunch of top 30 singles) yet despite the odd-hiatus and line-up change aside, ACR, still fronted by sole original member Kerr, are still making new music after 40 years. To celebrate this milestone, we’ve a barnstorming new version of ‘Dirty Boy’ on their latest EP release. Remixed by Chris Massey, and featuring another local legend Barry Adamson, not forgetting a cameo from late Factory boss Tony Wilson, still large as life from beyond the grave, “Dirty Boy” propels the listener straight the early 1980’s New York club scene, frequented by many on the Factory roster at the time.
With sprawling back catalogue now in the hands of Mute Records following ACR’s journey from Factory via A&M and Creation, their new label masters started re-issuing ACR material including last year’s new compilation “ACR:Set” Further prospecting by Mute has unearthed the aptly titled recently released box set “ACR:BOX”, a completist’s treasure trove of rare releases and alternate mixes from a band whose output has proven hugely influential to many would be musicians.
Following a couple of summer festival appearances, ACR embark on a 40th anniversary Autumn tour hitting the White Rose county on 17th November with a date at The Parish in Huddersfield. I for one will be packing my roller skates.
Words - Mike Price
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