It All Comes Down To This

 

Almost one year ago A Certain Ratio, one of the first and finest post-punk bands from Manchester, released their 1982. Now they are back with another new album, an album that is simply inspiring. Based on their traditional sounds they show that they arrived with their kind of music in today. They have always been difficult to categorise musically, the post-punkers from Greater Manchester. A Certain Ratio remain true to this claim to this day, but have deepened and refined it over the decades rather than honing it, as is the case with many bands of the same age. This album is a shimmering panopticon of styles and sounds that does not deny its basic DNA, consisting of funk and Factory sound. What A Certain Ratio deliver is always completely independent, stylistically confident, diverse without sacrificing funk and fantastic bass lines. In some moments they are reminiscent of Echo and the Bunnymen, while in others their metronome-like drumming is reminiscent of Can. It is also an album you could listen from the start to the end in one row. And this is one of the greatest compliments I can give to any artist. 

Militant Funk

 

It was in the early 80's of the days close after post-punk when many bands tried to broaden their musical horizon and searched for more experiences in funk and dancefloor. This turning away from classical new sounds were different to many people I knew at these days but slowly I realized the roots they had and those bands opened my ears for sounds I ignored for a long time and guided me to the later upcoming sound of what made DJ-music established years later. Listening to these roots is still a pleasure and a part of my musical education.

24 Hour Party People

Last weekend I watched 24 Hour Party People the comedy-drama biopic about the rise of Mancester's popular music scene especially Factory Records once again on television. I think I don't have to say much about Factory Records because a lot of was already said by Adam over the last years. What I can say is that it is always fun to watch Michael Winterbottom's movie because he convey the spirit of music from the first Sex Pistols concert into rave and DJ culture. And it is also a tribute to Tony Wilson without him this probably didn't happened the way it did. The development of this music was the road in music that I decided for me. There are so many bands and songs in this movie that makes me grab out my old records and listen to them once again with a smile on my face.

Closer

No, not another post about the groundbreaking album by Joy Division. This is about a song I listened the first time a couple of days ago and I cant't forget since then. It is by Las Kellies, a grrrl-band from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their post-punk sound includes a funky bass-line borrowed by ACR, extracts of early dub/reggae references, sharp guitars and a smooth female voice. In better times this song would have a massive airplay.

2019 Songs

Yesterday was the last day working in my office. When you will read this words I am on the way to Sri Lanka again like every year to recreate from all the horrible stress I had during the last months. Before I left I took a look back what happened in music during the last year and I have to say that very good music came to my ears this year. It is difficult to order the songs I listened often in a row so here are this songs that enjoyed me several times I listened to them. And if I will find the time and the mood in the next weeks probably I will write about the albums that inspired me this year. I wish  all of you joyful days, a great Christmas time and a wonderful start into the new year. Take care all. See you next year.

Cult Hero

The last days I listened often to the new album by purist Acid duo Paranoid London. It is not the music I listening most but this tracks grabbed me from the first time they came to my ears. Probably it is the collaboration with other musicians playing on various tracks. Also the artists are very different from A Certain Ratio's Simon Topping to the final vocal performance by Alan Vega. Often a mixture of singing/speaking over forward-moving beats and adventurous rhythms make these tracks very special and fits completely to my ears at this time.

I Got Clothes

A few days ago I got back to Barry Adamson's song I Got Clothes. It is a wonderful song and I am happy every time I return to it. The best version is the collaboration/remix by Factory's famous A Certain Ration. Much more funk inside the sound than before and close to get a classic record of mine.

Funky Friday

One of Manchester's best bands in the early 80s were A Certain Ratio. Their first records on Factroy Record were still played in my house. Their so called post-punk-funk was groundbreaking and the way they played the bass were so innovative for new music. I think that I don't have to lose more words of a band that impressed me much more than 30 years ago and let the music speak for it. Knife Slits Water is from their underrated second record Sextet.

A Certain Ratio had the funk and I ask myself why there are less remixes/edits of their songs. One of them I found when I prepared this post.