A Certain Ratio: Sextet

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Factory 1982.  FACT55

Discogs

I’m slightly too young to have got into ACR when they were at their peak.  Or maybe I just wasn’t cool enough as a teenager.  Whatever the reason, this is the only ACR I have, and “Hint” requested it, so here goes.

I guess you could call this album indiefunk.  They have two very proficient bass players and some imaginative percussion, but they don’t quite leave behind their post-punk roots, so they end up with an effective combination of two styles you’d think should be kept apart.  Having said that, it’s very much of it’s time, but for me that adds to its appeal.  There are elements of jazz here, as there so often is in funk (someone’s been listening to Miles I think) and some latin percussion here and there.  It’s eclectic, innovative and very well played.

For more ACR, Everything Starts With An A is the place to go.  He’s far more knowledgeable about the band than I am, and has posted a lot more (although not this album).

6 comments
  1. Definitely my favourite ACR output. This was the band’s production debut and they came up with a unique dark funk sound. Uniquely both Jezz Kerr and Donald Johnson played dual bass roles on a couple of tracks.
    Most of the ACR links on ESWA are now down, but any re-up requests will eventually be honored.

  2. Ah, I guess I should have checked the files are still current before sending people across to you…

  3. Thanks a lot!

    This is another vinyl I have in the basement and haven’t heard in years.

    Thanks to “Everything Starts With An A” I’ve got some other releases, but not this one.

    Cheers !

  4. You’re welcome.

  5. […] than you’d expect from a bunch of brummy indiepopsters (maybe they’d been listening to ACR?) and Fuzz Townsend’s muscular and inventive drumming backs it all up very nicely.  Live the […]

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