Playgroup - Epic Sound Battles Vol. 2 (1983)

Great & rare record co-produced by Adrian Sherwood! This was intended as ON-U LP 26 yet never saw release on On-U Sound and was solely licensed to Cherry Red instead. The intended ON-U catalogue number even appears on the sleeve alongside the Cherry Red catalogue number.           

The difficulty of classifying Playgroup's musical output remained long after its dispersion. Steve Barker's sleeve notes to the 1991 compilation of tracks from the original 'Sound Battles' releases are therefore probably the best way to descirbe a band that wasn't and a genre that isn't:

"If you happen to be reading this sleeve in a record shop then don't worry too much about putting it back exactly where you found it. You can put it in any rack - for there is no one appropriate section for On-U Sound products. Retailers do not suffer this confusion alone. Joining them in a consensus of bewilderment are the majority of music critics, radio programmers, record company executives, promoters and agents - the business!

On-U Sound does not codify an accepted series of words, beats and notes to elicit a desired, timely and optimum response. There is no soiled or oblique message. What On-U Sound does do, by means of an informal and informed ever-growing band of singers and players, is accumulate signs and symbols of an intuitive order communicating direct experience. Texture is compatible with pattern, space with form. Play a game - play this album to a stranger, give no terms of reference.

Absorbed members of the Playgroup include veteran British breathman Lol Coxhill, Gerry Malekani guitarist for Manu Dibango. Jancsi Hosszu Hungarian virtuoso violinist, Bubbles Panman from Trinidad but exiled in Ladbroke Grove and collusionist Steve Beresford. As to the identity of the Prisoner he or she must remain masked. [*** Ed: Hint - a certain producer :-) ***]

Someone on their last billion brain cells once said to me, 'there is but one sound in the entire universe from which the many are derived', If this is true then I believe On-U Sound will be moving their offices quite soon, from Wapping to Mars.

Don't let your ears become your first defunct organs - play this music long and loud."

Tracklist:

1. Ballroom Control
2. Going Overdrawn
3. Going For A Song
4. Haphazard
5. Squeek Squawk
6. Shoot Out
7. Lost In LA
8. Burned Again
9. Night Shift

Musicians:
Bass - George Oban (Tracks: A2, A3, B4, B5)
Drums - Bruce Smith (Tracks: A2, A3, B4, B5), Style Scott (Tracks: A1, B1, B3)
Keyboards - Steve Beresford (Tracks: A2, A3, B3, B4, B5)
Percussion - Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah (Tracks: A1, A3, B1, B5)
Producer - Adrian Sherwood
Saxophone - Lol Coxhill (Tracks: A3, B3, B5)

Playgroup - Epic Sound Battles Vol. 2 (1983)
(320 kbps, cover art included)