First New Record in Seven Years, in Conjunction with UK’s Rough Trade Records

White Bread Black Beer to be released in North America on July 25

“Simply ignoring the possibility of 1980s nostalgia, he instead unveils a talent as unclassifiable and as undimmed as ever.”-The Independent (UK)

“In an era when any former pop star still breathing – and even some that aren’t – is liable to make a comeback, the reappearance of Scritti Politti, one of the 80s’ most influential bands, still has the power to startle.”-The Guardian (UK)

“His best material since Cupid? Indisputably. His best album, ever? Looking more likely with every listen.”-Simon Reynolds, author of the acclaimed post-punk history Rip It Up and Start Again

Nonesuch Records announces the July 25 release of the first new record in seven years from UK band Scritti Politti, which is helmed by singer/songwriter Green Gartside-White Bread Black Beer. (The album will be released in the UK May 29 by Rough Trade Records.)

Green Gartside formed Scritti Politti (an alteration of the Italian words for “political writings”) in 1977 after being inspired by a Sex Pistols show. The band members, who lived in a communal squat in Camden, were not musically trained, but were devoted to studying Marxist theory and applying it to their art. They released only a few records in the late 70s before Gartside collapsed after a live show in 1980 with the Gang of Four (from a mixture of stage fright and other demons), seemingly ending his stage career, and, temporarily, his band.

He re-emerged in 1982 with Songs to Remember, Scritti Politti’s first full-length album, which gave evidence of Gartside’s increasing fascination with pop styles-especially the aching, beautiful single “The “Sweetest” Girl”. That was followed by 1985′s Cupid & Psyche 85, a landmark album that has inspired pop musicians for two decades since. Gartside’s songs from that album topped the transatlantic charts with hits such as “Perfect Way” (covered by Miles Davis) and “Wood Beez”, both of which also got heavy airplay on MTV. Davis admired Gartside’s songwriting enough to play on the 1988 follow up to Cupid, Provision.

After a long silence, Gartside resurfaced in 1999 with the hip-hop infused Anomie & Bonhomie (released in the U.S. in 2000). Throughout this time, neither Gartside nor Scritti Politti performed live.

After 26 years, Gartside began performing again early this year, with a handful of sold out shows in the UK. In these small club dates, he has been unveiling songs from the new Scritti Politti record, White Bread Black Beer, which will be released by Nonesuch/Rough Trade in North America on July 25, 2006. Time Out London said,”Green’s gorgeous, candy coloured voice still sounds exquisite.” Scritti Politti’s first-ever North American concert dates also are being planned.

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Scritti Politti aka Green Gartside releases his new album “White Bread, Black Beer” through Rough Trade Records on 5.6.2006. This is his first album in seven years and sees him returning to Rough Trade after being away since the early 1980’s.

“Its an album of me playing around with myself in the back room” says Green “I want to convey the idea of just me alone at home. “

Forming in Leeds after seeing the Sex Pistols, Scritti became a Camden squat land collective, devouring Marxist critical theory and applying it to pop so remorselessly that after several landmark singles, they became too self – conscious to make it. Gartside re- emerged from this stasis and his 1980 collapse, as a genuine pop star. His talent was hinted at in the aching beauty of “The Sweetest Girl”– and full blown by “Cupid & Psyche 85” a landmark album that inspired black US pop, right up to Timbalands micro – sliced beats today.

Gartside’s melodic instincts led him high into the transatlantic charts with hits such as “The Perfect Way” (covered by an admiring Miles Davis). The 1988 follow up to “Cupid,” “Provision” (on which Davis played) maintained some sort of momentum.
His next album appeared in 1999 the hip-hop fused “Anomie & Bonhomie” which won him much critical acclaim.

After 26 years of not playing live (due to crippling stage fright and long time diet based on speed sent Green into a panic attack so severe it felt like death and briefly struck him dumb) he returned early this year to play a couple of outstanding sold out shows.

Track listing

1. The Boom Boom Bap
2. No Fine Lines
3. Snow in Sun
4. Cookin
5. Throw
6. Dr. Abernathy
7. After Six
8. Petrococadollar
9. E11th Nuts
10. Windows Wide Open
11. Road To No Regret
12. Locked
13. Mrs Hughes
14. Robin Hood