X-O-Dus - English Black Boys

Release date: 10/15/2021

Limited edition of 500 on 180 gm black vinyl LP.

Manchester reggae band X-O-Dus are best known for their single English Black Boys, produced by Dennis ‘Blackbeard’ Bovell and released on Factory Records (Fac 11) in February 1980. This remastered compilation collects together 7 of their best tracks and is limited to 500 copies on 180 gsm vinyl.

Talent-spotted by Joy Division manager Rob Gretton, X-O-Dus performed at live events such as Zoo Meets Factory Halfway (August 1979) and Factory By Moonlight (April 1980).  In time-honoured Factory fashion Fac 11 was released almost a year late, being the only reggae record to appear in a sleeve designed by Peter Saville.  

Digitally remastered by Peter Beckmann in 2021, this 7 track vinyl edition includes both sides of the Factory single as well as 5 album demos recorded in 1980.  For optimum sound quality the album is pressed on 180 gsm vinyl.

The vinyl inner bag contains sleeve notes by former manager Martin Dunlop, along with archive images including previously unseen shots from the Moonlight Club show on 4 April 1980 by Peter Anderson.

Praise for the CD edition released in 2012: ‘One of the most remarkable chapters in British reggae history’ (The Wire); ‘A wonderful mix of lovers rock, soul and jazz’ (Record Collector); ‘The whole package reveals that X-O-Dus could have easily ranked up there amongst the heavy hitters of UK reggae like Matumbi and Steel Pulse’ (Other Music)

A1. English Black Boys
A2. See Them A’ Come
B1. Take It From Me
B2. Society
B3. Leaders
B4. Imagine
B5. If You Want My Lovin’