The Durutti Column
Four Factory Records

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Kooky are pleased to announce the re-issue of the first four albums by the Durutti Column. Originally released on the seminal  Factory Records label  between 1980 and 1984, these albums have been carefully re-mastered from the original master tapes, which had been thought to be lost along with the demise of Factory in the mid 1990’s. Ironically these had been stored along with many other tapes at Tony Wilson’s home and were passed on for this release by his son Oliver. Named after a political cartoon strip used by the Situationist Movement in Strasbourg, The Durutti Column were always one of the more eclectic bands on Manchester’s seminal Factory Records.  Their unique sound, a rich fusion of classical, folk and jazz, whilst strangely out of place in 1978, has proved to be one of the most enduring sounds of the Factory stable. To this day they have a large cult following, both in the UK and abroad. Tony Wilson (Mr Factory Records himself) put the band together in January 1978 by inviting Vini Reilly to join the existing line-up of guitarist Dave Rowbotham and drummer Chris Joyce. The band split up soon after but Vini continued alone as The Durutti Column, recording his debut album, The Return Of The Durutti Column, for Factory in 1980 produced by the late, great, Martin Hannett. Bruce Mitchell joined soon after to record two tracks for Sordide Sentimental in 1981 and has played ever since.  This six CD box set  is limited to 1175 copies and comprises of: Four fully re-mastered albums: 1. The Return Of The Durutti Column,  2. LC, 3. Another Setting,  4. Without Mercy,    Plus two limited bonus CDs only available as part of this boxset;   5. Unreleased: demos, versions and outtakes from the period,6. Live: previously unreleased live recordings from London, Glasgow, and Brighton 82/84. The package also includes extensive liner notes and interviews with the key protagonists from the period including the musicians Vini Reilly, Bruce Mitchell, John Metcalfe, and Tim Kellett and interviews with those who worked on the albums Kier Stewart, Stu Pickering and Oliver Wilson – without whom the tapes may never have found the light of day.  Ironically, this release coincides with Manchester International Music Festival commission Paen to Wilson. A piece of music which has been specially written  as a lasting memory to the bands former label owner  and close friend Tony Wilson. The Durutti Column played to three full houses at the Festival in July critically acclaimed by the Guardian and BBC2’s culture show amongst others.