A Certain Ratio's '1982' slated for spring

A Certain Ratio have shared their Afrobeat-inspired track, ‘Afro Dizzy,’ written around drum samples recorded by the late Nigerian master percussionist Tony Allen. The new single precedes forthcoming studio album, 1982 - out March 31, 2023 via Mute: 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, 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 an instrumental based on a sample pack of drums by Tony Allen. ACR, who have long idolized 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: https://youtu.be/I1v0Bnr1J-Y

1982 was recorded by the core ACR line up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, alongside Tony Quigley, Matthew Steele and Ellen Beth Abdi. 

The album title 1982 might conjure memories of the year that saw ACR put out both the acclaimed Sextet and the cult favorite I’d Like To See You Again. To celebrate the release of the album, A Certain Ratio will be embarking on a UK tour throughout April – full details below.

Track listing:

1. Samo
2. Waiting on a Train
3. 1982
4. A Trip in Hulme
5. Constant Curve
6. Afro Dizzy
7. Holy Smoke
8. Tier 3
9. Ballad of ACR
10. Constant Curve

UK Tour Dates:

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