A Certain Ratio

Share A Music Video & Announce UK Tour

A CERTAIN RATIO SHARE AFROBEAT INSPIRED TRACK, ‘AFRO DIZZY’ FEATURING ELLEN BETH ABDI

1982 – OUT ON MUTE IN MARCH 2023

UK TOUR DETAILS FOR APRIL 2023 ANNOUNCED

A Certain Ratio have shared their searing afrobeat-inspired track, ‘Afro Dizzy’, written around drum samples recorded by the late Nigerian master percussionist Tony Allen. The new single is the latest clue of what to expect from their forthcoming studio album, 1982 – out on Mute on 31 March 2023: https://mute.ffm.to/acr-1982 

‘Afro Dizzy’ features one of Manchester’s fastest-rising neo-soul musicians Ellen Beth Abdi, Though a newcomer to A Certain Ratio, it says a lot about the band’s progressive instincts that she’s already as central to the process as the members who’ve been there since the 1970s. For ‘Afro Dizzy’ she penned her own lyrics around a whirling instrumental based on a sample pack of drums by Tony Allen. ACR, who have long idolised Allen, had hoped to one day work with him, and wrote the music for the track just days after he died, in 2020.

Watch the video, an animation from artist and musician Tom Furse, and keep your eyes peeled for Tony Allen, who can be seen via archive footage:

Even by the band’s high standards – which includes a gleeful disregard for boundaries of style and genre, their eye fixed firmly on constant movement forwards – their latest studio album 1982 is multidimensional. Recorded by the core ACR line up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, alongside Tony Quigley, Matthew Steele and Ellen Beth Abdi, it shoots off in every direction, whether via searing Afrobeat, mind-melting jazz breakdowns or moody electronic experiments.

And the album title? Although 1982 might conjure memories of the year that saw ACR put out both the acclaimed Sextet and the cult favourite I’d Like To See You Again, it’s more of a playful red herring than an invitation to nostalgia.

Looking backwards and forwards all at once, drawing on influences from across every spectrum, 1982 is an unpredictable record that will reward a dedicated listener dozens of times over.

Pre-order 1982: https://mute.ffm.to/acr-1982 

To celebrate the release of the album, A Certain Ratio will be embarking on a UK tour throughout April – full details below.

A CERTAIN RATIO – 2023 TOUR

20 April – Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms

21 April – Huddersfield, The Parish

22 April – Manchester, New Century Hall

23 April – Leeds, Brudenell

25 April – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

26 April – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds

27 April – Bristol, The Exchange

29 April – London, The Garage

Before that, the band will be hosting a number of special Q&A / signing events in partnership with independent record shops in Manchester, Nottingham and London:

31 March – Manchester, Piccadilly Records – Q&A / signing

1 April – London, Rough Trade East – Q&A / signing

2 April – Nottingham, Rough Trade – Q&A / signing

1982 TRACKLISTING:

Samo
Waiting on a Train
1982
A Trip in Hulme
Constant Curve
Afro Dizzy
Holy Smoke
Tier 3
Ballad of ACR
Constant Curve

Watch the video for ‘Waiting on a Train’ feat. Mancunian rapper Chunky and Ellen Beth Abdi:

https://acrmcr.com

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