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A Certain Ratio’s classic and highly sought-after live album gets an official release with new artwork.

ACR continue their ongoing reissue campaign with Live in America — an essential artefact from the band’s career, capturing their summer ’85 US tour supporting labelmates New Order— then fellow Factory artists, now as part of the Mute family — across the East Coast and Canada. Originally released on cassette and sold at gigs, this rare gem is now available on CD and vinyl, complete with new artwork and sleeve notes.

Compiled from the standout performances of the tour, Live in America spans the band’s early years through to ‘Si Firmir O Grido’ — a track that was released a year later on Force — capturing ACR at a thrilling crossroads in their trajectory. The recordings were taken from five of the venues they played, Felt Forum: NYC, Opera House: Boston, Agora Theatre: Akron OH, Bismarck Theatre: Chicago and Warner Theatre: Washington DC. The line-up on the tour and therefore the album consisted of Andrew Connell - Keyboards, Donald Johnson - Drums and vocals, Jez Kerr - Bass and Vocals, Martin Moscrop - Guitar and Trumpet and Anthony Quigley - Sax.

From a Motorik-funk take on ‘Touch’ to their iconic cover of ‘Shack Up’ – a scratchy funk bomb that became a cult club anthem – this is ACR at their most direct, raw and road-hardened.