A Certain Ratio
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| A Certain Ratio | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Manchester, England |
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| Genre(s) | Alternative rock Alternative dance House music Post-punk |
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| Years active | 1977 - present | |
| Label(s) | Factory/A&M -UK | |
| Website | http://www.acrmcr.com/ | |
| Members | ||
| Jeremy Kerr (lead vocals, bass guitars) Martin Moscrop (lead guitars, trumpets) Donald Johnson (1979-present, drums) Tony Quigley (1983-present, saxophones)Liam Mullan (1990-present, keyboards) |
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| Former members | ||
| Peter Terrell (1977-1982, guitars, electronics) Simon Topping (1977-1983, vocals, trumpets, percussion) Martha Tilson (1981-1982, vocals) Andy Connell (1982-1986, keyboards) |
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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 seen on bands such as The Rapture. In 2002 Soul Jazz Records started a program of reissues of ACR's albums and difficult to find tracks. 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.
[edit] Discography
The band have released the following albums:
- The Graveyard and the Ballroom (1980)
- To Each... (1981)
- Sextet (1982)
- I'd Like To See You Again (1982)
- Force (1986)
- Good Together (1989)
- acr:mcr (1990)
- Up In Downsville (1992)
- Change The Station (1997)
The following compilations have also been released:
- A Certain Ratio Live in America (live album, 1985)
- The Old and the New (singles compilation, 1986)
- Looking for a Certain Ratio (remixes, 1994)
- Early (2002)
- Live In Groningen (2005)
