Gig Review: A Certain Ratio: 29.04.06 Edinburgh Bongo Club

A Certain Ratio are one of the most under-rated bands on the planet. Factory Records' other signing, and not even the Durutti Column, they are curse to forever walk in the shadow of Joy Division. Which is a shame, because their blend of Ian Curtis-inspired indie-mopieness and Funkadelic-style dancefloor grooves not only predated both the Madchester movement and modern indie rock's love affair with the dancefloor, but also was responsible for some excellent music. Tonight, ACR are on top form. Opening with an instrumental medley that segues elegantly into the wonderful 'Do The Du', from the onset they sound muscular and energetic. As on the studio recordings, Jeremy Kerr's propulsive funk bass and Donald Johnson's superlative drumming are the backbone to their sound. Live, listening to the way these two talented musicians bounce ideas off each other is a revelation. Martin Moscop's minimal guitar, and the use of various keyboards, samplers and trumpets fill out their sound without overcrowding it and loosing its cavernous, dubby feel. They appear possessed with an energy lacking from some of their studio recordings tonight, especially on 'Rialto', which, with the help of a guest vocalist, is transformed from the spectral beauty of the studio version to an alien funk rave-up. They preview some songs from their unreleased new album, most of which are excellent - ACR sound invigorated by the rediscovery - both by themselves and by a host of post-punk revivalists who owe an obvious debt - of their roots. A fan who saw them back in 1980 tells me that tonight's show was as good as their performances back in their heyday. Looking around me, the old, dour Mancunians - both on stage and off - are transformed. Everyone is dancing joyously - despite ACR's reputation as gloom-mongers, this is no voyage into darkness - like New Order, ACR know too well the pain and suffering of this world, but find redemption on the dancefloor. And they were doing this before New Order, or pretty much anyone else, latched onto the idea!