FAC. DANCE: FACTORY RECORDS 12” MIXES AND RARITIES 1980-1987.
FAC. DANCE: FACTORY RECORDS 12” MIXES AND RARITIES 1980-1987.
Between 1978 and November 1992 when Factory Records became insolvent, Factory proved to be one of the most influential and innovative British labels. Indeed, it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that Factory’s influence spread much wider, influencing independent labels worldwide. During this period, Factory Records were a cutting-edge label, fearlessly treading where neither majors nor other independent labels would tread. After all, how many other labels would build a nightclub like Hacienda in Manchester, or decided to open variously a clothes shop, hairdressers or venture into the world of independent films? Many of Factory’s ventures have attained legendary status, and can be read about in two excellent books Peter Hook’s The Hacienda: How Not To Run A Club Properly and James Nice’s Shadowplayers. While both books detail Factory Records downfall, lest we not forget that Factory Records released so much influential and innovative music. Although many people will know Factory from albums by New Order, Happy Mondays and Joy Division, how many people are aware of A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Quando Quango, Section 25 and 52nd Street? Whether you’re one of the people yet to scratch below the surface of Factory Records back-catalogue, or a Factory veteran, who knows their Swamp Children from their Crispy Ambulance, then Strut Records 2011 compilation Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 is for you. It contains twenty-four tracks, spread across two discs, with dance tracks from some of the many artists who made the Factory label one of the most innovative, influential and important labels during its fourteen year lifetime. As I tell you about some of the music on Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987, I’ll tell you about what part the artist played in the history of Factory Records.
DISC ONE.
Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 contains twelve tracks from ten artists. These ten tracks feature an eclectic selection of artists and styles of music, from groups who either played major or minor rolls in the Factory Records story. From electro dance, roots reggae and jazz funk to Latin, avant-garde and new wave, there’s something for all tastes. Truly, Factory Records was a broad church, releasing music that although it might not prove commercially successful, was music the original founders of Factory Tony Wilson, Alan Eramus, Peter Saville, Rob Gretton and Martin Hammett believed in. Many of these tracks were produced on tight budgets, with some groups making just one EP or album. While many of these releases were produced on limited budgets, each featured graphic designer Peter Saville’s legendary artwork and unique cataloguing system. This resulted in single and album covers that were almost works of art in themselves. Peter’s work can be found on singles, EPs and album by the ten artists who features on Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987.
On Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 the twelve tracks include two each from Section 25, who released three albums on Factory between 1981 and 1988. Their tracks are Looking From A Hilltop and Dirty Disco. A Certain Ratio released five albums between 1981 and 1986 and Wild Party and Knife Slits Water are their tracks on Disc One. Both groups would become two of Factory’s most popular acts. Vini Reilly’s The Durutti Column, were one of Factory’s most underrated and most talented artists. Here, they contribute a track from 1980 For Belgian Friends. Quando Quango, who featured Mike Pickering, later a member of M People, contribute one of the compilation’s highlights, 1983s Love Tempo. Two other tracks demonstrate just how eclectic a label Factory was. 52nd Street, a jazz-funk group, contribute Express, a fantastic slice of jazz-funk with a twist, while X-O-Dus, a Manchester roots reggae band, See Them-A-Come closes Disc One. Having briefly told you about some of the tracks on Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987, I’ll pick a few of Disc One’s highlights.
My first choice from Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 is Section 25’s Looking From A Hilltop, with the Megamix the version chosen. This broody slice of electro is from Section 25’s 1984 album From the Hip. From the opening bars, a myriad of moody, broody synths, drum machines and a slightly sinister, whispery vocal male vocal. Add to this atmospheric sound, a tempo of 118 beats per minute, some equally moody, atmospheric sound effects and crystalline, but introspective vocal you’ve the recipe for an early eighties electro track. Unlike many similar tracks, this one has aged well, and nearly thirty years later, retains its haunting, moody and ultimately timeless sound.
Although Quando Quango were on Factory between 1982 and 1985, they only released one album, 1985s Pigs and Battleships. Two years before, in 1983, they released Love Tempo, a joyous fusion of Latin, synth pop and funk. Founded by Mike Pickering and Simon Topping, the track is a mass of Latin percussion, punchy, blazing horns, synths and rhythm section. Combine this with a joyful, punchy vocal, and the result is a hugely catchy, almost infectious and irresistible fusion of three musical genres.
Earlier I mentioned how Vini Reilly’s The Durutti Column, were one of Factory’s most underrated, but talented artists. Not only that, but they produced a number of critically acclaimed albums, and even thirty years later, Vini’s still producing music. Although For Belgian Friends was originally released in 1985, on the Domo Arigato album, the version here is from the 1986s Valuable Passages album. It’s a mid-tempo track, with a moody, introspective sound. Just drums, keyboards and guitar feature as the track gradually reveals its beauty. Guitars and keyboards are shrouded in echo, as the drums provide the tracks heartbeat. Taken together, the result is one of the most beautiful, thoughtful tracks on Disc One. Anyone wanting to discover The Durutti Column’s music should try either their best of, or if you can find it, Four Factory Records.
A Certain Ratio were one of Factory’s most popular groups, releasing five albums between 1981 and 1986. One of their two tracks featuring on Disc One is Knife Slits Water, with the near ten minute 12” version chosen. This track was released in 1982, featuring on their third album Sextet. The track has a similar moody, introspective sound and mood to other tracks as it opens. Then when a slap bass solo enters, accompanied by guitar, handclaps and percussion, we have lift off. This is a contrast from the vocal. Later, a wash of synths enter, accompanying the drums and percussion. When punchy, rasping horns and steel drums enter, they add to the funkiness provided by the bass and percussion. The result is an intriguing, compelling fusion of genres, where funk and Latin meets new wave and electro and remarkably, works really well.
While Manchester roots reggae band X-O-Dus only released one EP on Factory in 1980, English Black Boys, it contained See Them-A-Come. This is a majestic, meandering slice of English reggae from X-O-Dus. They were a group who, given their considerable talent, and great lyrics should’ve had a much bigger future. Opening with just guitar, rhythm section, piano and vocal which delivers some political, pertinent and relevant lyrics for 1980. Many of these lyrics are just as relevant over thirty years later. Accompanying the vocal, which has a Bob Marley influence, are some soulful, backing vocals. Later, a searing guitar solo reflects the frustration and anger of the vocal, as this track which combines roots reggae and dub majestically. This results in one of my favorite tracks on Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987.
The twelve tracks that feature on Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 demonstrate how eclectic a selection of music Factory Records released between 1980 and 1987. Whether you liked electro, jazz funk, Latin or roots reggae, Factory released something that would interest you. What’s remarkable is that most of the artists on Disc One are all from Manchester or the northwest of England. That’s not to say that Factory ignored the wider world. Quite the opposite, it’s just that these twelve tracks demonstrate the sheer quality of music coming out of Manchester. During this time, Joy Division, New Order and The Smiths would all release some of the biggest albums of the eighties, while the Hacienda was on its way to becoming the most club ever. While not many of the Factory bands were lucky enough to have huge hits, they released some critically acclaimed and memorable music, some of which can be heard on Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987. However, will Disc Two of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 contain the same quality of music as Disc One?
DISC TWO.
Several of the groups that feature on Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 also feature on Disc Two. This includes Quando Quango, 52nd Street and The Durutti Column. Quando Quango and 52nd Street have two tracks on Disc Two, while The Durutti Column and Swamp Children have one apiece. A welcome inclusion is from Factory’s biggest success story New Order, who contribute the original 12” version of Confusion. Obviously, Blue Monday is New Order’s dance Magnus Opus, that saw the band change musical direction, transforming them from indie rockers to dance legends, but Confusion pointed towards the direction the group was now heading. Among the new artists on Disc Two are Shark Vegas, Marcel King, Minny Pops and Streetlife, who all feature here. However, how will the music on DIsc Two compare to that on Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987. That’s what I’ll tell you, when I tell you about the highlights of Disc Two.
Obviously, my first choice from Disc Two of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 is New Order’s 1983 hit single Confusion. Opening with a wash of moody synths, percussion, searing electric guitars and rhythm section, New Order haven’t deserted their indie roots given the track’s sound. When Barney’s vocal enters, it’s accompanied by percussion, while Gillian Gilbert adds backing vocals and a myriad of synths accompany his vocal. This the classic New Order lineup, with Hooky’s bass, Stephen Morris’ drums key to the sound, while Barney’s vocal is thoughtful and impassioned. Although quite different to the seminal Blue Monday, this is another classic from Blue Monday and demonstrates the direction their music was heading, in its fusion of indie rock and dance music.
Marcel King’s Ready For Love was released in 1984, and combines synth pop with elements of funk and disco. Here, synths combine with a funky rhythm section, providing a contrast of sounds, which when combined, provides the perfect backdrop for Marcel’s vocal. His vocal is tender, but joyous and key to the success of the track. Stabs and washes of synths, crisp electro sounding drums and percussion dominate the sound, as the earlier funky sound is replaced by an eighties dance-floor friendly sound. Listen carefully, there’s even a slight Michael Jackson influence. Taken together, the result is a catchy track, that nearly thirty years later, still sounds great.
52nd Street’s Look Into My Eyes is one of the standout tracks on Disc Two of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987. Released in 1982 and featuring the vocal of Beverly McDonald, this is sizzling slice of jazz funk produced by Donald Johnson, A Certain Ratio’s drummer. Key to the track is an accomplished group of musicians and of course, Beverly’s vocal. Opening with the funkiest of rhythm sections and percussion, keyboards join before Beverly’s vocal enters. When it does, it’s an emotive, impassioned delivery of the lyrics, while the rhythm section and keyboards provide a backdrop for her vocal. Her vocal is power and passion, while Tony Henry augments her vocal. For nearly seven hypnotic minutes, you’re transfixed by this track, which is a highly accomplished, polished and sizzling slice of jazz funk from 52nd Street.
Swamp Children’s You’ve Got Me Beat was released in September 1982 on the Factory Benelux label. It’s a fusion of jazz and Latin music, with a lovely, laid-back sound. A combination of piano, acoustic guitar, percussion and rhythm section, accompany a distant fragile vocal, as slowly, the track begins to reveal its nuances, subtleties and hidden charms. Later, subtle horns drift in, as gentle percussion, piano and the rhythm section take take the track on a journey through a fusion, lilting laid-back Latin and jazz, which has a beautiful timeless sound, making you want to investigate the Swamp Children’s music further.
My final choice from Disc Two of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 isthe hugely talented Vini Reilly’s Durutti Column. Madeleine is a track from their 1981 L.C. album, and is an example of the innovative and ambitious music The Durutti Column make. This is like an ambient soundscape where ripples of music meander majestically along, the textures and contrasts a pleasing fusion. It’s primarily guitars, keyboards and percussion that combine to create this gorgeous sound, with echo used sparingly and effectively. On this track, and the rest of L.C. Vini plays each of the instruments himself, resulting in a luxuriant eighties soundscape that’s full of subtle sounds, contrasts and musical textures.
Similar to Disc One of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987, Disc Two features an eclectic selection of quality music. From Factory founders’ New Order’s huge hit single Confusion, to Marcel King’s Ready For Love which fuses synth pop with elements of funk and disco, through to the jazz-funk of 52nd Street’s Look Into My Eyes each tracks oozes quality. That’s not forgetting Swamp Children’s You’ve Got Me Beat which is a relaxing combination of jazz and Latin music. The Durutti Column’s Madeleine is an avant garde soundscape, full of some gorgeous sounds, contrasts and textures, that demonstrate perfectly the quality of music The Durutti Column have been producing for over thirty years. Of course, there are seven other tracks on Disc Two of Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987, with two Quando Quango featuring twice, plus another track from 52nd Street. Among the other delights that can be heard on Disc Two are Shark Vegas, Hood, Abecedarians and Streetlife. These twelve tracks, plus the twelve on Disc One demonstrate not only how eclectic a selection of music Factory Records released between 1980 and 1987, but the quality of that music. For anyone who has yet to discover the many delights of the Factory Records, then Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 is the perfect primer, and a good place to start. After that, you can then delve into Factory’s considerable back-catalogue, which has many delights awaiting discovery. However, Fac. Dance: Factory Records 12” Mixes and Rarities 1980-1987 isn’t just for Factory Records’ newcomers, as the compilation will appeal to Factory veterans everywhere, allowing them to relive their youth again. Standout Tracks: Quando Quango Love Tempo, The Durutti Column For Belgian Friends, New Order Confusion and 52nd Street Look Into My Eyes.
FAC. DANCE: FACTORY RECORDS 12” MIXES AND RARITIES 1980-1987.
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