Hula - The Shutout (1985)

Hula was formed in Sheffield by guitarist and tape experimenter Ron Wright, with various other members passing in and out of the ranks, and bassist John Avery being the only constant. Hula's music was highly influenced by Cabaret Voltaire and other electronic/ambient artists, and three of the members (Mark Albrow, Alan Fish and Ron Wright) actually lived with Cabaret Voltaire's Stephen Mallinder, and Paul Widger (of They must be Russians, Clock DVA, and The Box) in a villa called Hula Kula. Their music added a more industrial edge and a schizophrenically experimental approach to the electronics of The Cabs, and their albums were often far less accessible than the dark, aggressive techno-funk of their singles. The band's first EP was produced by Stephen Mallinder, and their debut album 'Cut From Inside' was released in 1983, with bass provided by Chakk's Mark Brydon, as they were unable to find a suitable bassist. This was followed in 1984 by 'Murmur', with Ron Wright taking over bass duties, after which they recruited John Avery as a bass player for their live shows. The group began to indulge its artier tendencies on 1986's '1,000 Hours', a half-live, half-studio double album, and its follow-up 'Shadowland' consisted of improvised music used as accompaniment to an art exhibit. 1986's 'Voice' was Hula's last full-length release of new material, although they did continue to release 12" singles until 1988, culminating in an EP centered around a dance version of Jimi Hendrix's 'Voodoo Chile'. This collection concentrates on their early work, with all four tracks from the Mallinder-produced 'Black Pop Workout' 12" EP, plus both sides of their following two 12" singles, and one recording from a John Peel session which never appeared on any of their records. While I'll be the first to admit they are very much an acquired taste, they were one of the first, and the best, of the industrial/funk bands of the early 80's, which included groups such as Chakk, 23 Skidoo, Slab! and Workforce. 

Track listing

01 Feeding The Animal (from the 'Black Pop Workout' EP 1982)
02 Ignoring The Famine (from the 'Black Pop Workout' EP 1982)
03 Sacred Serials (Cicuits On Full Gush) (from the 'Black Pop Workout' EP 1982)
04 Junshi (from the 'Black Pop Workout' EP 1982)
05 (No One Leaves The) Fever Car (single 1984)
06 In The Shutout (b-side of '(No One Leave The) Fever Car')
07 Bats Lost...Bloodrush / Hard Stripes (b-side of '(No One Leaves The) Fever Car')
08 Gun Culture (John Peel session 1985)
09 Get The Habit (single 1985)
10 Bad Blood (b-side of 'Get The Habit')