Various Artists. Rough Trade 45s: Volume 1. In the heady post-punk late 70s, when Radio 1 DJ John Peel was an arbiter of taste for a restless generation, power briefly passed from the major record labels to the indies. Rough Trade, originally a West London record shop, launched their own label in 1977, becoming a small but important launchpad for new artists.
This limited-edition 7-inch singles boxset celebrates their role in that eccentric D-I-Y scene, beginning with Augustus Pablo’s 1978 dub reggae gem, Pablo Meets Mr Bassie. The song, by Pablo (AKA Horace Swaby) and Horace Andy, showcased his bewitching melodica style on a rhythm by Rockers All Stars. Stiff Little Fingers’ second single Alternative Ulster was arguably the label’s finest release. Opening with a clarion call of a riff, the punchy and defiant punk anthem was inspired by the harsh reality of life in Belfast – with lyrics partly written by Gordon Archer Ogilvie, a Daily Express journalist who became their manager.
Rough Trade Records’ first step into post-punk came with Subway Sect’s Ambition; they went on to release Swell Maps (Read About Seymour), The Raincoats (1979’s Fairytale In The Supermarket), Cabaret Voltaire (Nag Nag Nag) and The Pop Group (We Are All Prostitutes). They weren’t the only game in town. Pete Stennett’s Small Wonder label released more significant 7-inch debuts from The Cure, Bauhaus, Crass and the Cockney Rejects and The Specials’ 2-Tone label launched Madness, The Selecter, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers. Meanwhile, major label Virgin swooped on bands like the Ruts and the Skids who had more impact on the charts than Rough Trade whose main interest was in more radical art-based acts. The left-wing label, run as a co-operative, would go on to work with The Smiths, The Libertines and Sleaford Mods. They now have seven thriving record shops worldwide. Capitalist swine!
The Farm. Let The Music (Take Control). Some 45 years since their biggest hit All Together Now, the Liverpool five are back with their original line-up, full of life and dance grooves. The infectious title track, inspired by politicians’ empty promises, suggests that music delivers more than MPs ever will. Propulsive indie pop meets the Kop spirit on upbeat banger Moment In Time and driving Waiting For The Sun.
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel. The Best Years Of Our Lives. How different Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) was from the rest of the band’s third album. Lyrically, this is seriously dark. Bowie-esque Mr Raffles has lines about a baby-killing assassin and jauntier rocker Panorama opens with Harley singing about murder. This 3-disc 50th anniversary reissue includes outtakes, Blu-Ray, a 1975 live concert and more. RIP Steve.
Shez Raja. Spellbound. Nine slices of largely instrumental indo-jazz-funk from the incredible Wirral-born bassist and his team of world-class musicians. East meets West in a collision of grooves and virtuoso playing. Guitarists Guthrie Govan (of prog rockers Asia) and Soft Machine’s John Etheridge shine on thrilling jazz-fusion tracks, two of them live, that also feature sitar, flute, hand drums and heart.
