The Vinyl Revival & The Power of Remastering: Scritti Politti’s ‘Songs to Remember’ Signals a Shift in Music Consumption
The music industry is experiencing a fascinating paradox: as streaming dominates, physical media – particularly vinyl – is surging in popularity. This isn’t simply nostalgia; it’s a recalibration of how we value music. The upcoming April 10th reissue of Scritti Politti’s seminal 1982 album, Songs to Remember, via Rough Trade, perfectly encapsulates this trend, offering a remastered version of a record unavailable on streaming and out of print on vinyl since 1985. But beyond the re-release itself, the story behind it – and the voices surrounding it – reveals deeper shifts in the relationship between artists, labels, and listeners.
A Rhythm Section for the Ages: Mark E. Smith’s Enduring Legacy
The reissue is already generating buzz, fueled in part by a resurfaced anecdote from the late Mark E. Smith of The Fall. Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis recalls Smith declaring that Scritti Politti possessed “the best rhythm section in rock music.” This seemingly offhand comment, shared across multiple sources, highlights the respect Scritti Politti garnered from their contemporaries, even those known for their own uncompromising artistic vision. It’s a reminder that critical acclaim isn’t always about chart success; sometimes, it’s about the recognition of peers. The fact that Smith focused on the rhythm section speaks to the album’s foundational strength and its influence on subsequent generations of musicians.
Beyond Nostalgia: Why Remastering Matters in the Streaming Era
Although the vinyl resurgence is well-documented, the decision to remaster Songs to Remember is particularly noteworthy. In an age of readily available, often compressed audio, the pursuit of sonic fidelity feels increasingly important. Alex Wharton’s work at Abbey Road, meticulously restoring the album for this release, isn’t just about technical perfection; it’s about respecting the artist’s original intent and delivering the best possible listening experience. This dedication to quality resonates with a growing segment of music fans who are actively seeking out superior audio, even if it means investing in physical media or high-resolution digital downloads. The remastering process, isn’t a relic of the past; it’s a crucial component of the modern music ecosystem.
The Rough Trade Effect: Cultivating Talent and Championing Innovation
Geoff Travis’s personal recollections about working with Scritti Politti and Green Gartside offer a glimpse into the vibrant independent music scene of the early 1980s. His description of a “heady days” filled with “sheer talent” underscores the importance of labels like Rough Trade in fostering artistic innovation. Travis’s statement that Gartside “epitomised the intelligent assault on the citadel of pop music perfection” positions Songs to Remember not just as an album, but as a statement of intent – a challenge to the conventions of popular music. This kind of curatorial vision is increasingly valuable in a landscape saturated with content, helping listeners discover and appreciate truly exceptional work.
‘Songs to Remember’ Tracklist: A Snapshot of Early 80s Innovation
The album itself, featuring tracks like “Asylums in Jerusalem,” “The Sweetest Girl,” and “Faithless,” represents a unique blend of political urgency and pop sensibility. The fact that all three singles charted in the UK demonstrates that Scritti Politti’s experimental sound resonated with a wider audience. The full tracklist is as follows:
- 01 Asylums in Jerusalem
- 02 A Slow Soul
- 03 Jacques Derrida
- 04 Lions After Slumber
- 05 Faithless
- 06 Sex
- 07 Rock-a-Boy Blue
- 08 Gettin’ Havin’ & Holdin’
- 09 The Sweetest Girl
The Future of Reissues: A Focus on Quality and Context
The Scritti Politti reissue isn’t an isolated event. It’s part of a broader trend of artists and labels revisiting their back catalogs with a renewed focus on quality and context. Expect to see more remastered releases, expanded editions with bonus material, and deeper dives into the stories behind the music. This isn’t just about capitalizing on nostalgia; it’s about preserving cultural heritage and providing fans with a richer, more rewarding listening experience. The success of this reissue will likely encourage other artists and labels to invest in similar projects, further solidifying the importance of physical media and high-quality audio in the years to reach. What will be the next classic album to receive the remastering treatment? Share your predictions in the comments below!
