FAC Pack

 

Various Artists - Factory Records Four Pack [UK 1987 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC]

Four twelve inch white labels packed in their own printed PVC outer distributed as a marketing tool in 1987, most of which seem to have fallen into the hands of collectors (like me). Oddly, the label overlooked allocating a unique FAC number to the whole package.

FAC 169 Pleasure Crew - I Could Be So Good For You

A1  So Good 

B1  So Bad 

B2  So Good (Airwave Mix)

The sound of young Manchester in 1987 ...not quite. Probably the poppiest single ever released by the label, boy-band type street soul with a strong song-a-long chorus - but never a hit. Pleasure Crew were Noel, Himat and ...err 'Def'. This 12" single was produced by Mike Pickering of Hacienda/Quando Quango & M People fame and was accompanied by a vague attempt at a Factory Records music press promotional campaign. Which clearly failed as shortly after release, Pleasure Crew were never to be heard of again.

FAC 182 The Hood / Jumpin' Jesus - Salvation/You Can't Blackmail Jesus

A1  The Hood - Salvation - Have You Said Your Prayers Today? 

A2  Jumpin' Jesus - You Can't Blackmail Jesus 

B1  The Hood - Salvation (Nitromix)

Arthur Baker's mate John Hood from NYC, was given the dubious honour of coming up with the theme to Beth B's b-movie, Salvation. The soundtrack album did better than the film on account of the unreleased New Order and Cabaret Voltaire contributions, and John Hood went back to his day job as a night club doorman. Arthur Baker then went acid country under the obscure guise of Jumpin' Jesus.

FAC 196 Meat Mouth - Meat Mouth Is Murder

A1  Meat Mouth Is Murder 

B1  Guilty Feet (Force Fed Meat) 

B2  Pistol Practice 

Crap Mancunian rappers, Meat Mouth were Big Flame guitarist Greg O'Keeffe, Nicholas Blincoe & Mark Whittam. Most likely the worst record ever released on Factory Records (no mean feat), saved only by O'Keefe's stabbing guitar riffs. Blincoe remarkably went onto to being an author of some repute, although the 'prophylactic gymnastics' lyrics on his rap ode to the rubber johnny, Pistol Practice will merely amuse for a few seconds, if at all.

FAC 197 Fadela - N'Sel Fik

A1  N'Sel Fik 

B1  Ateni Bniti (Part 1)

Very much the most credible record in this package and evidence that Factory Records were not afraid to dip into the world of Algerian Raï. Fadela signed for Island Records shortly after the Factory single and went on to work with Bill Laswell.

Needle Time & Digitalia will return in mid-July