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Rough Trade Records to release limited edition seven-inch singles boxset

Rough Trade Records to release limited edition seven-inch singles boxset

Rough Trade Records to release limited edition seven-inch singles boxset to celebrate label’s formative years on 20 June.

Rough Trade 45s: Volume 1 covers influential indie label’s early releases between 1978 and 1980 featuring Augustus Pablo, The Raincoats, Cabaret Voltaire, Swell Maps and more

The eight singles, which have been recreated especially for this edition, were handpicked by Rough Trade Records co-MDs, Jeannette Lee and Geoff Travis, who were key players in the DIY nexus that formed around the first Rough Trade shop in the late 1970s.

“There wasn’t much commercial thinking behind starting a label out of the first Rough Trade shop, not much planning,” recalls Geoff Travis of Rough Trade Records’ beginnings. “We were just doing things out of love really.”

Reflecting this passion behind its foundation, rather than a dry definitive history of the label’s early years, the boxset represents a personal and musical history, as inspired by Rough Trade’s recent 45th anniversary, Geoff and Jeannette have selected tracks that represent moments of true creative spark from the time.

Accompanying the singles, a new long-form conversation between the pair serves as the sleeve notes for the release, which is illustrated with exclusive archive photography sourced in collaboration with many of the era’s greatest photographers plus new quotes from the artists themselves and notable fans also feature.

Each copy of Rough Trade 45s: Volume 1 will be individually numbered, while the run is limited to just 1000 copies worldwide.

Rough Trade 45s: Volume 1 will include the following singles:

Augustus Pablo – Pablo Meets Mr Bassie 

B-side Mr Bassie Special!

RT002 (1978)

Stiff Little Fingers – Alternative Ulster 

B-side 78 Revolutions A Minute (78RPM)

RT004 (1978)

Subway Sect – Ambition 

B-side Different Story

RT007 (1978)

Swell Maps – Read About Seymour 

B-sides Ripped & Torn and Black Velvet

RT010 (1978)

The Raincoats – Fairytale In The Supermarket 

B-sides In Love & Adventures Close To Home

RT013 (1979)

Cabaret Voltaire Nag Nag Nag 

B-side Is That Me (Finding Someone At The Door Again?)

RT018 (1979)

The Pop Group – We Are All Prostitutes 

B-side Amnesty International Report On British Army Torture Of Irish Prisoners

RT023 (1979)

Young Marble Giants – Final Day  

Second track on A side Radio Silents B-side Cakewalking

RT043 (1980)