a certain ratio » music

Mind Made Up

km — Sat, 29 May 2010 08:52:17 +0000

MIND MADE UP (LTMCD 2531) £10
Produced by A Certain Ratio in Manchester between 2006 and 2009, Mind Made Up marks a stunning return to hard-edged funky form. ‘The songs are timeless and true to ACR’s roots,’ says Donald Johnson. ‘The emphasis was placed on keeping it simple in the studio. Trickery was kept to a minimum and we never took more than three takes on any track.’ Adds Martin Moscrop: ‘Most songs we jammed in rehearsal one week and recorded the next, so that they were rough round the edges. And the lyrics are some of the best Jez has ever produced. You’ll also hear old ACR influences throughout the album. Teri was actually the first song ACR ever wrote, but it has never been recorded or released until now.’ The band line-up remains unchanged since Ratio’s last studio album back in 1996, comprising Jez Kerr (vocals, bass), Denise Johnson (vocals), Martin Moscrop (guitar), Donald Johnson (drums), Tony Quigley (keys, sax) and Liam Mullan (keys). This remastered LTM edition features an extra bonus track not included on previous European editions. Full tracklist: I Feel Light, Down Down Down, Everything Is Good, Way To Escape, Rialto 6, Mind Made Up, Teri, Bird to the Ground, Starlight, Which is Reality?, Skunk, Very Busy Man, I Feel Light (Dub)

Reviews:

‘Certainly Ratio are happy to hark back to their late 70s peak. Johnson and Kerr recycle classic ACR rhythm riffs, while the predominant funky beats and spooky atmospherics blend nicely with the art-pop of Teri and Bird to the Ground. The results sound surprisingly tough, vital and contemporary’ (Uncut, 07/2010)

‘The formula remains true, and there’s still a vital disco energy in the gritty guitar and rubber-band bass. Faithful fans might find their passion rekindled.’ (The Wire, 06/2010)

‘Andy Weatherall’s favourite band have been around since the late 70s. Clinically executed, this is a must for history lovers and contemporary alt.funkers alike. 8/10′ (DJ Magazine, 07/2010)

‘Mind Made Up is perfect, lyrical ‘Head Music’ but still has that tight rhythmic force which has always driven ACR. Set to be a summer highlight for a new generation and firm fans alike’ (hangout.altsounds.com, 05/10)

mind made up – new release

km — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:02:16 +0000

acr release mind made up on LTM records on Tuesday June 1st 2010. Our first release since Early on Soul Jazz Records.

This new album has a bonus track, a remix by Headman of I feel light. and a booklet of lyrics including photos of the band.

Read about the new album

km — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:47:30 +0000

Here’s some links to press for the new album – mind made up – a mix of reviews and interviews:

Paul Pledger for All Gigs

Maddy Sparham for the quietus

big distraction

Robin Murray for clash music

access all areas music

Christina M for altsounds

Interview from the Dingwalls gig

km — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:33:57 +0000

Includes an interview and tracks – online here

New date confirmed for September

km — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:14:26 +0000

Have added the new Venice date to the gig listing page – 4th September.

Look at the venue! – photos here.

Disko_nnect are on myspace as well as the facebook group.

Tickets – 40 euros for two days, 25 euros for one – will be on sale at Italian ticket agency

Live recording of Primavera

km — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:43:52 +0000

Audio stream of A Certain Ratio – the full set from Primavera in Barcelona – is still available here at WFMU.

Leeds tonight

km — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:24:39 +0000

Looking forward to playing the Brudenell club tonight. With Pifco as support – they’re on stage at 8.15pm. DJ’s for the night are Steve Goodall and Andy Pye.

There are some tickets on the door at £15 each if you haven’t bought your ticket yet.

Porto gig – review

km — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:25:36 +0000

Great to receive this from Pedro Rocha, the promoter of Serralves em Festa in Porto:
can say… it was amazing that, being the closing act of a festival that went on for 40 hours non-stop, A Certain Ratio managed to grab the energy that the audience didn’t know they still had and make the show a highlight of the event. The contagious rhythms, the muscular and warm sounds, the superb synthesis of freshness and history, impregnated mind and body of the thousands of people that gathered in the park for the final hours of the festival.

Pedro Rocha, Promoter

Recent concerts – reviews

km — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:21:52 +0000

Dingwalls in London -
a stunner of a show
From the review in Amelia’s magazine with photos by Richard Pearmain

300 or so people should feel very privileged tonight – history was being made yet again.
From the review by Paul Pledger of allgigs.co.uk

Primavera in Barcelona -
a concert simply perfect……A magical night when they were just 10 days from 30th anniversary of their first single.
Translated from a review in Catalan on simbenia with great photos by Crises. And includes set list.

New York City date

km — Sat, 16 May 2009 12:06:54 +0000

Sorry not a full gig from ACR but Martin Moscrop will be doing a DJ set on5 June in New York City at The American Museum of Natural History | Planetarium.
Martin spins with Moby (Mute), Holy Ghost! (DFA), Adesh & Sky (Activaire DJs)