Long time no post...

Greetings from the void.

If anyone really cares, I'm still here, doing what I do.
Today maybe doin' the du.

I was playing 12" 45s the other day & I started listening to A Certain Ratio.
The funky/punky dance thingy had my toes tappin' & raised my spirits.

A Certain Ratio was one of the first groups to sign to the legendary Factory Records in Manchester. While many people credit New Order &/or The Happy Mondays as the group(s) who brought Dance music into the sound of Manchester (later Madchester!), it is in fact ACR who were there in the beginning.

If you want to find out more about ACR, there is a wealth of material available elsewhere, as they were a influential band primarily ahead of their time musically. But briefly...

Formed in 1978, the initial line-up was Simon Topping (vocals), Martin Moscrop (guitar & trumpet), Peter Terrell (tape loops) & Jeremy Kerr (bass). Their debut seven-inch "All Night Party" was Factory Records fifth release. Soon after this Donald Johnson joined on drums. Shortly after came a cassette only release The Graveyard & The Ballroom containing early versions of future ACR classic tracks like "Do The Du" & "Flight".

"Shack Up" was released as a single before finding its way, along with a new version of "Do the Du" onto Facus 4 (commonly titled Do the Du). Although "Shack Up" originally came out in Belgium, on a new Belgium subsidiary, Factory Benelux, & consequently was only available on import, it had originally been recorded by Banbarra in the US & had been a Northern Soul/Funk favorite in the U.K.

Unlike many bands of this period, ACR were happy to mix the two traditions of their collective Manchester upbringing (Punk & Northern Soul). "Shack Up" manages to be one of punk's funkiest ­ dance-floor material, sly humor,& Northern post-industrial alienation. This release became an underground dance fave in New York (Billboard chart position 52!). This would lead to their first gigs in New York at places like Danceteria & The Roxy. On their first gig in New York they were supported by a young Madonna!

Although Do the Du - Facus 4, Waterline - Fac52, & Brazillia - FBN32 are OOP, several of the tracks have been released on Early by Soul Jazz Records, U.K. Early covers the (duh!) early period of their career (from 1978-1985). Soul Jazz remarks, "Hopefully this CD is a testament to one of the most influential groups that the UK has ever produced in the last 25 years!"

(Early - Soul Jazz Records 2xCD £ 11.99 - Out of Stock 2xLP £ 9.99
----Amazon says 4 used & new available from $71.99)

So with other further bullshit from me, Do the Du, one track from Waterline & both sides of Brazillia.


Do the Du - 12": US Jan.1981 (Factory US FACUS 4)

[flipside]
2:45 Do the Du
3:00 The Fox
[hipside]
3:07 Shack Up
2:04 Son and Heir


Waterline - 12": UK Dec.1981 (Factory FAC 52)

4:09 Waterline
5:19 Funaezekea



Brazilia - 12": BL Feb.1985 (Factory Benelux FBN 32) (Virgin 80199/PM 132F) (Crepuscule Au Japon/Shinseido Sirius SC-??)

6:08 Brazilia
5:57 Brazilia (Extended Mix)

Enjoy,
NØ