A Certain Ratio / Lucinda / Mute

A Certain Ratio recorded their 3rd long-player, “Sextet” in 1981. To celebrate its 45th birthday, rather than do a straight reissue, the band have handed the masters over to friend and collaborator Andy “Emperor Machine” Meecham. The results have been rebranded “The Joy Of Sextet” – after the popular 70s love-making guide – and promo’d by Mr. Meecham’s mix of “Lucinda”. A big fan himself, Meecham deliberately hasn’t messed with ACR’s distinctive sound, but instead beefed and tightened it up. Razor-sharpening the rhythm guitar and intensifying the crazy congas. Making the most of the muscular rhythm section and the duelling, twin, slapped bass-lines. Polishing this unique hit of ethereal vocal-ed dance floor jazz funk. 

The new album will swap out 3 of the original tracks and replace them with Meecham’s mix of the 12” take of post-punk classic “Knife Slits Water” plus a bonus dub of Andrew Weatherall favourite “Waterline”. All of which is currently being kept secret. 

Coco, Steel & Lovebomb / E1 AC1D0 & Acidirie / DSPRR

Two acid tracks from the reactivated Coco, Steel & Lovebomb. The first, “E1 AC1D0”, which was released back in March, is a genius synergy of TB-303 and every B-boy and B-girl’s favourite break, “Apache”. Bolstered by a bouncing bass-line and extra cowbell, I spotted several Second Summer Of Love loon birds lurking in there. 

The second, “Acidirie” , a collaboration with Suddi Raval, was announced just a few days ago. Roland’s little silver box bubbling, boiling, squidgy and squelching. It’s bottom end jacking. Its racing tempo tapped out on cymbals. Drums rattling in dubwise delay and breaking down to a hushed, Middle Eastern synth melody and cracks of spring reverb thunder. 

Photay / Always Cosmic / Multi Culti

L.A.’s Photay remixes United Freedom Collective’s “Always Open” for Montreal-based imprint Multi Culti. The EP contains 4 ace acidic and drum workouts, born in the sessions, where rattling military snare breaks are very cleverly chopped about, and barely controlled TB-303 B-lines go bonkers. The main, vocal mix features the voice of West African artist Falle Nioke, who in places peaks and soars, super angelic. There are snippets of a familiar old school rave chant, and a big, filtered, ringing breakdown. “pH Dub” is slightly calmer. Tolling church bells and cooling piano chords tempering its rumbling, syncopated funk. 

Secret Soul Society / Fiendish Disco Drums / Boîte Music

The currently super prolific Secret Soul Society have signed 2 tracks of their trademark bass-heavy, dubby disco to Spanish label, Boîte Music. For me, “Fiendish Disco Drums”, is the one. Its B-line a match for Andy Meecham’s ACR remixes. Bumping along, on a break derived beat, full of looped and delayed effects and details, its bottom end slapped, rumbling and grounding echoed vocal snippets.  

Cal Gibson, Señor SSS, has also joined forces with his old friend, Paper Recordings founder, Flash Atkins, for 2 tracks on Hell Yeah. “Heavenly Ventures” has layers of soulful scatting ride a rolling beat and bass-line. As it turns, it tightens, twists, becomes acidic and rises toward something spiritual, shamanic. Topped off by a little African rap. 

John Tejada & Laurel Halo / Shade

John Tejada and Laurel Halo team up for 2 tracks of quick, clipped house / techno. The tunes’ combined dance floor rattling contains tons of classic jack influences and industrial edged clanking… But as hard as nails, with the tempo is bumped right up. Full of looped and repetitive riffs, sampled shouts and the odd jazzy chord, they feel like a breakneck homage, a futuristic flashback to Detroit landmarks such Inner City’s “Good Life” or as Blake Baxter’s “When A Thought Becomes You”.