[2019-05-17] A Certain Ratio "acr:box" 4CD box set (Mute)

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2019 2:15 pm

Description
A Certain Ratio - who celebrate their 40th anniversary this year - release a new box set, acr:box, out on Mute. acr:box launches with a brand new acoustic version of 'Won't Stop Loving You' (AKA The Big E) here titled 'W.S.L.U.', a recent collaboration with Parent's Sarah Brandwood-Spencer (string arrangement) and Jason Brown (additional guitars). acr:box was remastered by Martin Moscrop at Abbey Road studios.

Following on from 2018’s compilation, acr:set, acr:box showcases the diversity of the singles, B-sides and alternative versions of tracks that A Certain Ratio have released, but without repeating tracks recently made available. acr:box collates everything that fans had been missing from the recent reissue campaign, and compliments that with a selection found after a deep delve into the archive to find all the hidden gems that had been talked about over the years, but never heard – even a few releases the band had forgotten about!

Looking to make the box set as comprehensive as possible, even the original tapes from the session they recorded for a collaboration with Grace Jones were uncovered and reworked. This session includes the cover version of Talking Heads’ ‘Houses In Motion’, using Jez Kerr’s guide vocals (pre to him becoming the band’s singer). Grace Jones never completed her vocal take, after attending one of the recording sessions with the band.

The box set, which marks the 40th anniversary of A Certain Ratio’s debut release, the Martin Hannett produced ‘All Night Party’ (Factory Records’ first single release) was described recently by Record Collector as “a statement of future intentions: to set funk off against nervous angst.” They went on to be hailed universally as pioneers of what became known as “punk funk” thanks to the success of their second single, ‘Shack Up’, represented here via a radio edit from Electronic, featuring Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr.

Tracklist
[CD1]
1. All Night Party
2. The Thin Boys
3. Blown Away
4. Son And Heir
5. Waterline
6. Funaezekea
7. Abracadubra
8. Sommadub
9. Guess Who? (12'' Version)
10. Tumba Rumba
11. Knife Slits Water (12'' Version)
12. Kether Hot Knives (Mix In Special)
13. I Need Someone Tonight
14. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing

[CD2]
1. Life's A Scream
2. There's Only This
3. Si Fermir O Grido (Touch Cassette Version)
4. Brazilia 6.10
5. Sounds Like Something Dirty
6. The Runner (Greetings Four Version)
7. Inside (Greetings Four Version)
8. Bootsy (Greetings Four Version)
9. Fever 103 (Greetings Four Version)
10. Loosen Up Your Mind
11. The Planet
12. 27 Forever (Jon Dasilva's Testimonial Mix)
13. Turn Me On (7'' Edit)
14. Shack Up (Electronic Radio Edit)

[CD3]
1. Houses In Motion (Demo Version 1)
2. Houses In Motion (Demo Version 2)
3. And Then Again (Another Version)
4. Piu Lento (John Peel Session)
5. Nostromo A Go Go (Demo)
6. Force (Demo)
7. Backs To The Wall (Demo)
8. The Big E (Demo)
9. Every Pleasure (Demo)
10. Rivers Edge (Demo)
11. Stadium (Demo)
12. Thin Grey Line (Demo)
13. Repercussions (African Mix)

[CD4]
1. BTTW 90 (Demo)
2. Spirit Dance (Demo)
3. Bitter Pill (Never Released)
4. Mello (JD 800 Perc Mix)
5. Can You Dance (Never Released)
6. Tekno 4 An Answer (120bpm)
7. Samba 123 (Demo)
8. Some Day (ACR Rework)
9. Happy Meal (Working Title)
10. Flight Won't Stop (Unfinished Demo)
11. Fruit Song (Unfinished Demo)
12. Say What You Mean (Unfinished Demo)
13. W.S.L.U.

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDTWCKZ/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PDTWCKZ/?tag=imwanca-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NCYT3S9/?tag=imwan-21

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2019 2:21 pm

"W.S.L.U.":

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:56 am

"Houses In Motion":

Also, some background information:

Quote:

Houses In Motion is reworked from original tapes, recorded in 1980 with Martin Hannett. This track, a Talking Heads cover, was intended as a collaboration with Grace Jones. Although Jones attended a session with the band at Strawberry Studios in Stockport, her vocals were never completed and the vocal on this version (recorded by Jez Kerr, prior to him becoming the band’s singer) was only ever intended as a guide vocal.

Jez Kerr continues, "It was great to find this lost track and, even though the original idea was for Grace Jones to sing on it, I think this version captures the essence of ACR at their best – when we are being ACR and sounding like no one else."

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Apr 08, 2019 12:42 pm

The USA pre-order price has dropped by more than $10, down to $35.47:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDTWCKZ/?tag=imwan-20

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Apr 27, 2019 12:01 am

The box has been pushed back to May 17th in the USA and Canada, but it remains on schedule for May 3rd in the UK:

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDTWCKZ/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PDTWCKZ/?tag=imwanca-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NCYT3S9/?tag=imwan-21

[2019-05-17] A Certain Ratio "acr:box" 4CD box set (Mute)

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