Having consistently released music by innovative, visionary, and transformative artists, Rough Trade have been defining record collections since their first release in 1977 (RT001 saw the shop help French punks Metal Urbain put out single Paris Maquis), continuing to release cutting edge albums and tracks right up to, and including the present day, with their current roster boasting the likes of Amyl & The Sniffers, Pulp, Jockstrap, Anohni, Dean Blunt, Sleaford Mods and many more. Now, to mark 45-plus years of the label, its co-MDs Jeannette Lee and Geoff Travis have indulged in a rare retrospective look, personally putting together two boxsets featuring some of their favourite singles released by Rough Trade during its formative years. Accompanied by new sleeve notes featuring the pair's recollections, impressions and opinions, these limited-edition collections are no bog-standard trawl through the back catalogue but a personal look at the hits, gems, bangers, growers, underrated classics and more. Chronicling Rough Trade's emergence from behind the counter of the West London shop of the same name in the late 1970s, the first boxset in the series fizzes with the daring, Do It Yourself attitude that underpinned punk and subsequent musical expressions that surrounded the label's birth. "Typically for Rough Trade there wasn't a strategy,” says Jeannette of her and Geoff's enduring partnership at the heart of Rough Trade Records. "We just jumped in and hit it off. So, we've stuck together!" Tracklisting: 7”Augustus Pablo – Pablo Meets Mr Bassie B-side Mr Bassie Special!RT0021978 7”Stiff Little Fingers – Alternative Ulster B-side 78 Revolutions A Minute (78RPM)RT0041978 7”Subway Sect – Ambition B-side Different StoryRT0071978 7”Swell Maps – Read About Seymour B-sides Ripped & Torn and Black VelvetRT0101978 7”The Raincoats – Fairytale In The Supermarket B-sides In Love & Adventures Close To HomeRT0131979 7”Cabaret Voltaire Nag Nag Nag B-side Is That Me (Finding Someone At The Door Again?)RT0181979 7”The Pop Group – We Are All Prostitutes B-side Amnesty International Report On British Army Torture Of Irish PrisonersRT0231979 7”Young Marble Giants – Final Day Second track on A side Radio Silents B-side CakewalkingRT0431980
