A Certain Ratio Unreleased Track From Grace Jones Session
- Written by Marky Edison
A Certain Ratio, who celebrate their 40th anniversary this year, have shared ‘Houses In Motion’, an unreleased track taken from the new box set, ACR:BOX, out on Mute on May 3. This unreleased version is reworked from original tapes, recorded in 1980 with Martin Hannett. The track, a Talking Heads cover, was intended as a collaboration with Grace Jones. Although Jones attended a session with the band at Strawberry Studios in Stockport, her vocals were never completed and the vocal on this version (recorded by Jez Kerr, prior to him becoming the band’s singer) was only ever intended as a guide vocal.
Jez Kerr continues, "It was great to find this lost track and, even though the original idea was for Grace Jones to sing on it, I think this version captures the essence of ACR at their best – when we are being ACR and sounding like no one else."
The band have announced an extensive UK tour kicking off on 27 April when they’ll bring their blistering live performance to Barrow-in-Furness, before a show at London’s Islington Assembly Hall on May 4. The band have also announced a 2-day ACR festival at Yes, in Manchester, on May 24 (the anniversary of the actual release date of the original ‘All Night Party’ 7”) and May 25 with live sets from Section 25, Sink Ya Teeth, Gabe Gurnsey, ShadowParty and Eric Random joining DJs Daniel Miller, The Other Two (Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert), Jon Dasilva, The Orielles and more for a takeover of all four floors of the venue. A Certain Ratio play three sets over the two nights, including a very special set with guests including past band members for a performance on Saturday May 25.
ACR:BOX was remastered by Martin Moscrop at Abbey Road studios. Featuring over 20 unreleased tracks, the box set will be available as a 7 x coloured vinyl set, 4 x CD set and digitally and its release will coincide with a series of dates.
A CERTAIN RATIO – LIVE
27 April – Barrow-in-Furness, Barrow Underground Music Society
4 May – London, Islington Assembly Hall
10 May – Wolverhampton, Newhampton Arts Centre
11 May – Belfast, Cathedral Quarter Festival
23 May – Liverpool, Phase One
24 May - Manchester, Yes ACR TAKEOVER
25 May – Manchester, Yes ACR TAKEOVER
30 May – Sheffield, The Leadmill (Steel Bar)
31 May – Newcastle, Riverside
1 June – Edinburgh, The Voodoo Rooms
2 June - Leamington Spa, Zephr Lounge
16 Aug – We Out Here Festival
17 Aug – Green Man Festival
18 Aug – County Durham, Hardwick Live Festival
2 Nov – Dublin, The Sugar Club
8 Nov – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
9 Nov – Birmingham, The Crossing
15 Nov – Stoke-on-Trent, The Sugarmill
16 Nov – Glasgow, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
17 Nov – Huddersfield, The Parish
6 Dec – Stockton on Tees, The Georgian Theatre
7 Dec – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
