Ari Up - Rest In Peace! - The Slits Debut 12" (Island, 1979)

ARI UP (SLITS) - On stage 1977

Ari Up, member of the Slits, died on Wednesday at age 48. Up’s stepfather, the Sex Pistols’ John Lydon, announced her death from a “serious illness” on his website. Up, a.k.a. Arianna Forster, formed the Slits with Palmolive (Paoloma Romero) and Viv Albertine when she was just 14, and the band’s mix of punk, reggae, and politics made them trailblazers. Meanwhile, the Slits’ last video, “Lazy Slam,” has been released posthumously according to Up’s wishes.
There’s no denying the importance of the Slits, especially their 1979 album "Cut". The group’s dizzy blend of dub rhythms, post-punk artiness, punk attitude and unpracticed enthusiasm was thrilling and unique, both when it first came out and 30 years later as well. On top of the glorious clatter and bounce of the music were Ari Up’s vocals. Yes, they may have wandered, they may have grated at times, but her style was perfect for the band and perfect for the times.

After "Cut", both the band and Up went through all kinds of changes that led to some interesting music at times - espcially her work with the Adrian Sherwood-produced, avant-garde reggae group the New Age Steppers.

Up’s death this week at the tragically young age of 48 gives us pause, and spurs us to remember just how influential, and fun, the Slits were at their peak.

To honour Ari Up we post the debut 12″ release from The Slits on Island records in 1979 with the wonderful tracks "Typical Girls" and "Grapevine".

Tracks:
01. Typical Girls / Brink Style
02. I Heard It Through The Grapevine / Liebe And Romanze

The Slits - Debut 12 Inch (Island, 1979)
(128 kbps, cover art included)

Rest in peace!