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They didn't reach stadium-level superstardom like the Clash and the Police, but few contemporaries could hold a candle to the punky reggae of the Ruts. Nearly equal parts righteous dread and six-string fury, the London quartet was one of the most important bands to emerge during punk's second wave, and this collection -- one of a series that also included well-chosen retrospectives of acts like the Members and the Records -- expertly compiles the finest moments of the Ruts' too-short career. Like many British bands who incorporated reggae rhythms into their pogo stomp, the group began life leaning heavily toward the hard and fast, as documented by their initial single, 1978's "In a Rut." But very early on, they began to toy with Jamaican sounds and themes -- just listen to the brief, dub-style guitar lick in the middle of "Babylon's Burning," the title of which draws a link to Rastafarian unrest at home and abroad during the late '70s. Thanks to singer Malcolm Owen's magnificent bellow, the Ruts would always have one foot firmly in the punk camp, but bassist John Jennings was the band's secret weapon; his rumble came to dominate on roots reggae epics like "Jah Wars," a chilling account of fascist violence. Those songs and several others are drawn from the group's lone album, The Crack, with later singles like the raucous "Staring at the Rude Boys" appended to give a complete picture of the Ruts' brief but brilliant time together. Their final hit, "West One," was released just weeks after Owen, struggling with a heroin addiction, overdosed and drowned in his bath. It serves here as an optimistic closer and a last reminder of how much essential music the group managed to create in just two years. Those who crave a little more should purchase Something That I Said in tandem with Rhythm Collision, the smashing 1982 dub album that paired the remaining Ruts with Mad Professor.
© Dan LeRoy /TiVo
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John Jennings, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Fox, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Johnson, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Composer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, Composer - The Ruts, Producer, MainArtist - Dave Ruffy, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1980 Virgin Records Limited
John Jennings, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Fox, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Johnson, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Composer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, Composer - The Ruts, Producer, MainArtist - Dave Ruffy, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1980 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Mannah, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Fox, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Prestage, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mick Glossop, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tony George, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, ComposerLyricist - John Vincent Jennings, ComposerLyricist - Malcolm Geoffrey Owen, ComposerLyricist - Paul Richard Fox, ComposerLyricist - The Ruts, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Segs, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
John Jennings, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Fox, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mick Glossop, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Composer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, Composer - John Brand, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Ruts, Producer, MainArtist - Dave Ruffy, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chappie' Chambers, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1980 Virgin Records Limited
John Jennings, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Fox, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mick Glossop, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Composer, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John Brand, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Ruts, Producer, MainArtist - Gary Barnacle, Saxophones, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chappie' Chambers, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bill Barnacle's Horns, Trumpet, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1980 Virgin Records Limited
John Jennings, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Fox, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Phil Vinall, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Malcolm Owen, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Glen David Ruffy, Composer - Paul Richard Fox, Composer - John Brand, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Ruts, Producer, MainArtist - Gary Barnacle, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Malcolm Owens, Composer - Dave Ruffy, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Bass, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1980 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
They didn't reach stadium-level superstardom like the Clash and the Police, but few contemporaries could hold a candle to the punky reggae of the Ruts. Nearly equal parts righteous dread and six-string fury, the London quartet was one of the most important bands to emerge during punk's second wave, and this collection -- one of a series that also included well-chosen retrospectives of acts like the Members and the Records -- expertly compiles the finest moments of the Ruts' too-short career. Like many British bands who incorporated reggae rhythms into their pogo stomp, the group began life leaning heavily toward the hard and fast, as documented by their initial single, 1978's "In a Rut." But very early on, they began to toy with Jamaican sounds and themes -- just listen to the brief, dub-style guitar lick in the middle of "Babylon's Burning," the title of which draws a link to Rastafarian unrest at home and abroad during the late '70s. Thanks to singer Malcolm Owen's magnificent bellow, the Ruts would always have one foot firmly in the punk camp, but bassist John Jennings was the band's secret weapon; his rumble came to dominate on roots reggae epics like "Jah Wars," a chilling account of fascist violence. Those songs and several others are drawn from the group's lone album, The Crack, with later singles like the raucous "Staring at the Rude Boys" appended to give a complete picture of the Ruts' brief but brilliant time together. Their final hit, "West One," was released just weeks after Owen, struggling with a heroin addiction, overdosed and drowned in his bath. It serves here as an optimistic closer and a last reminder of how much essential music the group managed to create in just two years. Those who crave a little more should purchase Something That I Said in tandem with Rhythm Collision, the smashing 1982 dub album that paired the remaining Ruts with Mad Professor.
© Dan LeRoy /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 17 track(s)
- Total length: 01:02:38
- Main artists: The Ruts
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: One Up
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1987 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 1980 Virgin Records Limited
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