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Information About

A Certain Ratio




  Background group_or_band
  Origin Manchester , England
  Genre Post-punk <br/> Alternative Dance <br/> House Music
  Years Active 1977 - present
  Label Factory / A&M -UK
  URL http://wwwacrmcrcom/
  Current Members Jeremy Kerr ( Lead Vocals , Bass Guitar s) <br /> Martin Moscrop ( Lead Guitar s, Trumpet s) <br /> Donald Johnson ( 1979 -present, Drums )<br /> Tony Quigley (1983-present, Saxophone s) Liam Mullan (1990-present, Keyboard s)
  Past Members Peter Terrell ( 1977 - 1982 , guitars, Electronics )<br> Simon Topping (1977- 1983 , vocals, trumpets, Percussion )<br> Martha Tilson ( 1981 -1982, vocals)<br> Andy Connell (1982- 1986 , Keyboards )


A Certain Ratio is a Post-punk Band formed in 1977 in Manchester , England . While originally part of the Punk Rock movement, they soon added Funk and Dance elements to their sound. The band's name is taken from the lyrics of Brian Eno 's song "The True Wheel" (from the album '' Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) '', which in turn were taken from a quote from Hitler on the proportion of 'Jewish blood' that was required to determine whether someone was to be classified as 'Jewish'. There is some dispute as to whether the band were aware of the original meaning of the phrase.

The group's longest serving members have been Martin Moscrop (guitar, trumpet) and Jeremy Kerr (bass, vocals). Another of today's members, Donald Johnson (drums, vocals), joined early to replace a Drum Machine . Three original members have left the band - singers Martha Tilson (left in 1982 ) and Simon Topping (left in 1983 for Quando Quango and, later, T-Coy ), plus guitarist Peter Terrell , who left in 1982 . Keyboardist Andy Connell who joined in 1982 left to form Swing Out Sister in 1985 .

The bands exploration of rhythm fusing funk, disco, punk and Latin has had a resurgence in the last few years and their influence can been heard in bands such as The Rapture and LCD Soundsystem . In 2002 Soul Jazz Records started a program of reissues of ACR's albums and difficult to find tracks. Further re-issues and a Live recording from 1980 have also been made available on the LTM label.

Although the band does not play full time, they continue writing, recording, and performing. A new album is set for release in early 2007.

'A Certain Ratio' started their career on Factory Records , managed by Tony Wilson . They are featured in the film '' 24 Hour Party People '' where Tony Wilson (played by Steve Coogan ) calls them ' Joy Division but better dressed'. Martin Moscrop had the prestigious job of Musical Supervisor of the film.


DISCOGRAPHY


The band have released the following Album s:
  • FACT 16C ''The Graveyard and the Ballroom'' (1980)

  • FACT 35 ''To Each...'' (1981)

  • FACT 55 ''Sextet'' (1982)

  • FACT 65 ''I'd Like To See You Again'' (1982)

  • FACT 166 ''Force'' (1986)

  • A&M ACR 550 ''Good Together'' (1989)

  • ''acr:mcr'' (1990)

  • Robs Records ROB20 ''Up In Downsville'' (1992)

  • Robs Records ROB50 ''Change The Station'' (1997)


The band have released the following vinyl singles on Factory Records :
  • FAC 5 ''All Night Party / The Thin Boys'' 7"

  • FAC 22 ''Flight / Blown Away / And Then Again'' 12"

  • FACT 42 ''The Double 12"'' (12" 2 x 12", 7 tracks)

  • FAC 52 ''Waterline / Funaezekea'' 12"

  • FAC 62-7 ''Knife Slits Water / Tumba Rumba'' 7"

  • FAC 62-12 ''Knife Slits Water / Kether Hot Knives'' 12"

  • FAC 72-12 ''I Need Someone Tonight / Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing'' 12" (Also promo 7" FAC 72/7)

  • FAC 112 ''Life's A Scream / There's Only This'' 12"

  • FAC 112P ''Life's A Scream (Edit) / There's Only This (Edit)'' 7"

  • FAC 128 ''Wild Party / Sounds Like Something Dirty'' 12"

  • FAC 168 ''Mickey Way (The Candy Bar) / Inside / Si Firmi O Grido'' 12"

  • FAC 1667 ''Bootsy / Inside'' 7" (Australian only)

  • FAC 16612 ''Bootsy (Remix) / Mickey Way'' 12" (Australian only)

  • http://www.vinylnet.co.uk/record-label-discographies.asp link


The following compilations have also been released:
  • Castle Communications DOJO 47 ''A Certain Ratio Live in America'' (live album, 1985)

  • FACT 135 ''The Old and the New'' (singles compilation, 1986)

  • Creation (CRE) 159B ''Looking for a Certain Ratio'' ( Remix es, 1994)

  • Soul Jazz Records (SJR) 60 ''Early'' (2002)

  • LTM 2443 ''Live In Groningen'' (2005)

  • http://home.dialix.com/~u3336/factory/acr.html



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