Factory Records mainstays A Certain Ratio are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their first release, All Night Party, with a tour and a commemorative box set, entitled ACR:BOX.
The 54-track compilation features a range of singles, B-sides and alternate versions of released tracks. The original session they recorded with Grace Jones, where they covered Talking Heads’ ‘Houses in Motion’, has been uncovered, reworked and included in the box set – while Jones never completed her vocal take, it used Jezz Kerr’s guide vocals prior to him becoming the band’s singer. A previously unreleased acoustic version of ‘Won’t Stop Loving You’ – titled as ‘WSLU’ – is also included, featuring Parent’s Sarah Brandwood-Spencer (string arrangement) and Jason Brown (additional guitars) – you can listen to it above.
The box set is part of a series of releases Mute and A Certain Ratio have been collaborating on since 2017, which began with a re-issue of the band’s debut LP The Graveyard And The Ballroom.
The band will play live at Islington Assembly Hall on May 4 and host a 2-day ACR festival at YES in Manchester on May 24 and 25; additional dates will be announced soon. ACR:BOX is due out on 03 May and is available for pre-order here.
