Wednesday, December 9, 2020

The Ugly Beauty Of Rough Trade Singles


RTM 189 is a mini-album, Ugly Spirit by Richard H. Kirk of Cabaret Voltaire. RT 190 is an EP by Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited.  It was tempting to pair Ugly Spirit with Kirk's single "Hipnotic" (RT 199). But part of what makes it interesting to listen to the Rough Trade singles in catalog order is the kind of contrast represented by following Kirk's unsettling electronics and samples with the bittersweet melodies of Thomas Mapfumo. 

Mapfumo's music is as innovative as Cabaret Voltaire: he adapted Zimbabwe's traditional Shona music to the electric guitar and other modern instruments, and he "invented and popularized Chimurenga music (literally 'struggle' in Shona) which was often overtly political." The A-side, "Hupenyu Wangu (All My Life)" is a remix by "Dance Dive" DJ Dave Hucker.  Vol. 25 contains 40 minutes of Mr. Kirk and 25 minutes of Mr. Mapfumo.  Thanks to the World Service blog for the latter.

Vol. 26 is all Smiths singles (RT 191 through 198). Vol. 27 begins with the aforementioned "Hipnotic" by Richard H. Kirk, followed by yet another Smiths single (RT 200, "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me"), the Rough Trade debuts of A.R. Kane and The Cradle, The Stars Of Heaven's Holyhead EP, and an Easterhouse single.  The Cradle was a short-lived band that included Ivor Perry of Easterhouse and Manchester guitarist Craig Gannon. RT 202 was their only release. Gannon was "the fifth Smith" and also played with The Adult Net and Blue Orchids, among others.

Over 200 Rough Trade singles, EP's and mini-albums are behind us; fewer than 50 remain to be posted. It's now somewhere between 1987 (RT 203) and 1989 (RT 204). Hope you're still enjoying the trip.
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6 comments:

  1. jonderDecember 9, 2020 at 9:12 PM

    Vol 25 (RT 189-190): https://tinyurl.com/y467yjlu

    Vol 26 (RT 191-198): https://tinyurl.com/y2obm2qy

    Vol 27 (RT 199-204): https://tinyurl.com/y4y223yb

    ReplyDelete
  2. Paolo MeccanoDecember 10, 2020 at 6:36 AM

    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. backfromthebeachDecember 15, 2020 at 9:47 PM

    I have really enjoyed this series,thank you.

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  4. jonderDecember 16, 2020 at 9:33 AM

    You're welcome! Just found this Richard H. Kirk interview regarding his latest album as Cabaret Voltaire:

    https://dangerousminds.net/comments/richard_h._kirk_on_cabaret_voltaires_first_new_album_since_1994

    ReplyDelete
  5. MrDaveJanuary 5, 2021 at 5:29 AM

    I guess I should have realized the risks when I followed you down this Rabbit Hole in the first place (more Smiths in my collection) but in for a penny in for a pound! Thanks as always!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jonderJanuary 5, 2021 at 9:36 AM

      Yes, too much Morrissey for my liking as well. The best I can say about them (other than the greatness of Johnny Marr) is that they served as a rainmaker for Rough Trade, attracting new artists to the label and perhaps subsidizing losses on some of the more adventurous releases.

      Thanks for all your comments, and best wishes for the New Year!

      Delete

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