Factory Benelux presents deluxe double vinyl and CD editions of Sextet, the ethereal yet rhythmic second album by Manchester postpunk funk group A Certain Ratio, originally released by Factory Records in January 1982.
Self-produced at Revolution Studio, Sextet saw the original Ratio quintet of Donald Johnson, Jeremy Kerr, Martin Moscrop, Simon Topping and Peter Terrell joined by co-vocalist Martha ‰Û÷Tili‰۪ Tilson. Written and recorded following a transformative sojourn in New York in late 1980, the album reflects Latin, samba and even jazz influences (eg Skipscada; Day One), while still retaining Ratio‰۪s signature brittle funk textures, heard in full effect on Lucinda, Gum and trancelike floor filler Knife Slits Water.
‰ÛÏIt all came together for us on Sextet really,‰ confirms bassist (and latterly vocalist) Jez Kerr. ‰ÛÏWe were all working together - more involved in the recording, and what went down onto tape. It's definitely got something that the other albums haven‰۪t.‰
Newly remastered, the bonus tracks on both the CD and vinyl formats include non-album single Waterline as well as dub plate Abracadubra (released as Sir Horatio), and the band‰۪s three song John Peel session from June 1981.
The double CD version also includes a further Peel session from November 1982, featuring two songs never before released on record: Piu Lento, and Who‰۪s To Say. Also included on the CD are both extended 12‰ mixes of Knife Slits Water, together with an early demo version of percussive marathon Si Firmir O Grido.
Cover painting by Denis King. Design by Ben Kelly.
Double vinyl tracklist:
A1. Lucinda A2. Crystal A3. Gum A4. Knife Slits Water B1. Skipscada B2. Day One B3. Rub Down B4. Rialto B5. Below the Canal C1. Waterline C2. Funaezekea C3. Sommadub D1. Skipscada (Peel Session) D2. Day One (Peel Session) D3. Knife Slits Water (Peel Session) D4. Abracadubra
Double CD tracklist:
Disc 1:
- Lucinda 2. Crystal 3. Gum 4. Knife Slits Water 5. Skipscada 6. Day One 7. Rub Down 8. Rialto 9. Below the Canal 10. Waterline 11. Funaezekea 12. Abracadubra 13. Sommadub
Disc 2:
- Skipscada (Peel 1981) 2. Day One (Peel 1981) 3. Knife Slits Water (Peel 1981) 4. Who‰۪s To Say? (Peel 1982) 5. Piu Lento (Peel 1982) 6. Touch (Peel 1982) 7. Si Fermir O Grido (Touch version) 8. Knife Slits Water (12‰) 9. Kether Hot Knives (12‰)