Shine On Me: The Singles 1977-1980

Description

This pioneering English punk band from London – active in their original lineup from 1977 to 1980 – were known for an explosive blend of punk and reggae influences, strident anti-racism stance, energetic live shows… and a run of classics that included ‘Babylon’s Burning’, ‘Staring At the Rude Boys’, and ‘Something That I Said’. Following the untimely death of their charismatic lead singer Malcolm Owen, aged just 23, in the summer of 1980, they released what’s considered to be their masterpiece single from which this collection takes its name – the heroic ‘West One (Shine On Me)’. The band also released two landmark albums during their short tenure as holders of the zeitgeist – their debut ‘The Crack’ and the collection of singles, B-sides and live recordings ‘Grin + Bear It’. This 2CD collection celebrates the band’s visceral legacy by bringing together the bulk of these two albums with the inclusion of early recordings supplied by the band, plus single edits of some of the original 7-inch releases. The original Ruts may not have been around for long (the surviving members continued as Ruts DC) but at the time their classic sound defined the times in the same way as landmark records by artists like The Jam, the Skids, the Buzzcocks and The Undertones. ‘Shine On Me’, released with the full cooperation of the band, is available in 2CD deluxe packaging with a sleeve that references the sharp graphics of the original ‘Babylon’s Burning’ single release.

Tracklisting

Disc 1
1. Babylon’s Burning (Album Version) – The Ruts
2. Dope for Guns – The Ruts
3. S.U.S. – The Ruts
4. Something That I Said – The Ruts
5. You’re Just A… – The Ruts
6. It Was Cold – The Ruts
7. Savage Circle – The Ruts
8. Jah War – The Ruts
9. Criminal Mind – The Ruts
10. Backbiter – The Ruts
11. Out of Order – The Ruts
12. Human Punk (Live at the Marquee, London, 19 July 1979) – The Ruts
Disc 2
1. West One (Shine On Me) [album Version] (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
2. Staring at the Rude Boys (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
3. H Eyes (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
4. In a Rut (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
5. Love in Vain (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
6. S.U.S. (Live) – The Ruts
7. Babylon’s Burning (Live) (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
8. Society (Live) (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
9. West One (Shine On Me) [single Version] (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
10. The Crack (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
11. Give Youth a Chance (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
12. I Ain’t Sofisticated (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
13. Society (Single B-side Version) (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
14. Rich Bitch (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
15. Lobotomy (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
16. Stepping Bondage (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
17. Denial (Bonus Track) – The Ruts
18. Babylon’s Burning (Single Version) (Bonus Track) – The Ruts